Jokowi urges to boost Indonesia-Australia relations

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) shed light on some areas of priority for Indonesia and Australia to work on together to intensify bilateral and economic relations between both nations.

“Thank you Prime Minister Albanese for the warm welcome, and we are happy to be visiting Australia again,” Jokowi noted in a joint press statement with PM Albanese in Sydney on Tuesday, as monitored via the Presidential Secretariat YouTube Channel in Jakarta.

According to Jokowi, since last year’s Annual Leaders Meeting in Bogor, West Java, several positive developments have taken place due to the ongoing commitments.

Jokowi highlighted several priorities, with the first being that Indonesia and Australia should build more substantive and strategic economic cooperation through the development of electric vehicle (EV) battery production.

The second is to continue the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), through mutual recognition agreements on quarantine and inspection of fishery and fruit products, and capacity building of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

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He noted that under the third priority, both countries need to focus on cooperation and development for carbon capture and storage as well as green energy-oriented smelters in Indonesia.

Under the fourth priority, Indonesia encourages the Australian private sector and the Australian National Capital Authority to cooperate with the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN).

“It is very clear that Indonesia and ASEAN want the Indo-Pacific to become a peaceful and stable region that prioritizes real collaboration,” Jokowi explained.

On that occasion, Jokowi lauded Australia’s support for Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and invited Australia to strengthen partnerships in the South Pacific through trilateral cooperation and participate in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.

“And lastly, I look forward to welcoming PM Albanese to Jakarta in September this year,” Jokowi remarked.

Meanwhile, Albanese stated that Indonesia plays an important role at the global level, with its successful G20 Presidency and its chairmanship of ASEAN.

Albanese also invited Jokowi to attend the ASEAN-Australia Summit in August this year.