Indonesia’s future president is set to land in Australia as the federal government attempts to strengthen defence ties.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles will welcome Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto when he arrives in Canberra on Monday.
Mr Prabowo, who is also his nation’s defence minister, is expected to discuss the economy, the net-zero transition and security during his two-day visit.
“My government is committed to working with Indonesia to shape the type of region we both seek – one that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty,” Mr Albanese said.
In February, Australia and Indonesia said they would upgrade a bilateral defence pact to ensure it was binding under international law.
The new agreement was expected to allow the two nations to access each other’s training ranges and streamline entry and exit processes for joint activities.
But a final pact is yet to be delivered.
“I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know president-elect Prabowo during his time as defence minister, in which we have been making great strides in our two countries’ defence cooperation,” Mr Marles said.”Australia and Indonesia are working closer together than we have before and are expanding the scope and complexity of our exercises together as we address shared regional challenges.”
The trip will be Mr Prabowo’s first visit to Australia since he was elected to Indonesia’s top position in February.
He will be inaugurated in October.