Australian premier meets Indonesian president in 1st trip to Jakarta since reelection

By Aamir Latif

ANKARA (AA) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Thursday to discuss ways to bolster the defense and economic partnership between the two countries.

Albanese is in Jakarta for a three-day official visit, marking his first overseas trip since his reelection earlier this month, after his Labor Party secured a decisive victory.

"Indonesia is an indispensable partner for Australia,” Albanese said in opening remarks according to a statement from his office.

He added that the visit underscores Canberra’s commitment to deepening defense and economic ties with Jakarta.

He called for closer defense ties under a bilateral agreement signed last year that covers maritime security, counterterrorism, and disaster response.

"Security is built on the sovereignty of every nation and the rules that govern all nations," he said.

Prabowo, for his part, said the talks were an opportunity to “strengthen our engagement and our cooperation in bilateral, regional and even in the global context,” describing relations as “strong.”

Jakarta is committed to completing the ratification of the defense agreement, the president noted.

"We will continue discussing the opportunities to improve and increase cooperation in the defense sector," he said.

The two sides also discussed trade and investment, food security, energy transition, and critical minerals, Prabowo added.