Prabowo - Albanese Emphasizes RI-Australia Relations "Strongest in History"

President Prabowo Subianto received an official visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (IST)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to bring the Indonesia-Australia relationship to the strongest level in history. The affirmation emerged in a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (6/2), which marked a new phase of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"Five times I've been to Indonesia in less than four years. That shows how close our relationship is. And today, with the signing that was carried out, we are bringing this relationship to the strongest level ever," said Albanese.

Albanese even said that his visit this time was carried out in the middle of the Australian parliamentary session. "I finished Question Time early, went straight to the airport, and went straight here," he said, emphasizing the importance of this short but strategic visit.

Prabowo responded in a personal tone. He apologized for not greeting him directly at the airport because of the state agenda at the Palace. "I apologize for not meeting at the airport because there was a meeting at the Palace," said Prabowo.

This meeting strengthens the foundation of cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, which has been supported by the education and economic sectors. Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia shows that in 2025, around 24,000 Indonesian students will study in Australia, while cumulatively more than 200,000 Indonesians have studied in the country.

Australia also routinely provides around 220 scholarships and short-term programs through the Australia Awards Indonesia. Educational cooperation has expanded with the presence of Australian campuses in Indonesia, such as Monash University Jakarta, Western Sydney University Surabaya, and Deakin University Bandung.

In the economic sector, bilateral relations are strengthened through the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) which has been in effect since July 2020. Bilateral trade value jumped from 12.91 billion Australian dollars in 2020 to 35.38 billion Australian dollars by the end of 2024.

Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of 3.13 billion Australian dollars in 2024. Investment flows also move in both directions, with Australian investment in Indonesia reaching 1.36 billion US dollars, while Indonesian investment in Australia was recorded at 1.42 billion US dollars.

Albanese emphasized that this visit was not the last. "This is a short but important visit. The next visit will be much longer," he said, signaling the continuity of the RI-Australia relationship in the future.