Jakarta, May 15, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia’s unwavering commitment to maintaining strong and cooperative ties with Australia, emphasizing the importance of mutual support between neighboring nations. The statement came during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.
“Indonesia and Australia are destined to be neighbors who help each other in difficult times,” President Prabowo said. “Therefore, I am determined to maintain the best relationship with our neighbors. And we are grateful that Australia views Indonesia as a close friend.”
President Prabowo also recalled the warmth of personal diplomacy that has characterized the relationship between the two leaders. He noted that Prime Minister Albanese was the first foreign leader to extend congratulations following his election as Indonesia’s 8th president last year. In return, Prabowo had congratulated Albanese via phone after his own electoral victory and reappointment as Australia’s prime minister.
“Besides being a close neighbor geographically, Australia is a strategic partner for Indonesia,” Prabowo added, citing the growing cooperation under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), which has paved the way for enhanced collaboration across multiple sectors and strengthened people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Albanese, in his remarks, underscored the strategic importance of Indonesia in Australia’s foreign policy. “Indonesia is an irreplaceable partner for Australia and our two nations have an unbreakable bond,” he said. “I am honored to be able to visit Indonesia once again as my first bilateral visit after the general election.”
Albanese highlighted that his government had been inaugurated just a day before his departure to Jakarta—an act he said reflects Indonesia’s central role in Australia’s regional and international engagement. He also reaffirmed Canberra’s desire to deepen economic cooperation with Jakarta and acknowledged Indonesia’s pivotal role within ASEAN.
The leaders’ meeting marks a continued trajectory of strong diplomatic, economic, and regional cooperation between the two nations as they navigate shared challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific.
