President Jokowi Highlights Four Main Points to Strengthen Indonesia-Australia Bilateral Ties
President Jokowi meets with PM Albanese in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday (03/05) (PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (3/5) held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Melbourne, Australia.
The meeting that marked the 75th Anniversary of Indonesia-Australia diplomatic relations highlighted the commitment between the two countries to strengthen strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Australia is our strategic partner, for Indonesia and ASEAN, in the Indo-Pacific region, a region where we share our future and collective responsibilities to maintain stability,” the President said.
On that occasion, the Head of State underscored four main points to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia. The points are as follows:
First, President Jokowi expressed his appreciation for the enhancement of cooperation between the two countries, including the signing of MoU on the Collaboration of the Electric Vehicles Development.
“It is our hope that the MoU can be immediately realized through the formation of joint steering committee and work plan creation. Related to nickel, I encourage the two countries to collaborate more instead of being in competition,” he said.
President Jokowi also underlined the importance of collaboration in the financial services sector, while announcing a plan to open a representative office of the state-owned bank Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) in Sydney.
Furthermore, the President expressed his appreciation for the signing of MoU between the Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN Authority) and the National Capital Authority last February.
“I would like to call on private sectors in Australia to invest in the IKN,” he added.
Second, President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of expanding market access to create more equal trade, while expressing his appreciation for the permit to import Australian red meat and cattle.
Moreover, President Jokowi also said that the cooperation in bio security sector for Indonesian horticultural and fishery products must be enhanced including inspections and quarantine aspects.
Third, President Jokowi expressed his joy that Indonesia becomes a study-abroad destination for Australian students under the New Colombo Plan. He encouraged more Australian students to visit and study in Indonesia.
Fourth, President Jokowi expressed his gratitude for the support from the Australian Government during Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship last year. The President also expressed his hope that the cooperation and implementation of infrastructure and energy projects can be continued and he also welcomed the launch of the 2040 Southeast Asia’s Economic Strategy.
“It is our hope that this will strengthen economic integration between Australia and ASEAN through mutual trade and investment,” he stressed.
At the end of the meeting, President Jokowi invited PM Albanese to attend the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. This forum will discuss global issues about water and sanitation amid increasing climate change challenges. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AP/MMB)
