Latest news with #LombokTreaty
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Australia forges closer defense ties with Indonesia as PM visits Jakarta
JAKARTA: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held defense talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday, as he visited Jakarta on his first international visit since re-election. Albanese arrived in the Indonesian capital on Wednesday evening, a day after his new government was sworn in, as the two countries seek to further strengthen their strategic ties. The trip comes less than a year after Indonesia and Australia cemented a landmark defense pact last August, which includes provisions that allow their forces to operate from each other's countries. 'This treaty-level agreement, underpinned by the Lombok treaty, will enable new cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism as well as humanitarian and disaster relief,' Albanese said during a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace. The 2006 Lombok Treaty, which entered into force two years later, included agreements on joint military exercises, maritime security and military training. Albanese said the August deal was 'the most significant step' in Australia and Indonesia's security partnership for three decades. 'Let me be very clear, I do not see this agreement though as the last step, just the next step. I want us to aim high, go further, and work even more closely together.' Indonesia and Australia held their largest-ever joint military exercise last November, with around 2,000 troops training in air, maritime, amphibious and land operations. 'I'm here in Indonesia because no relationship is more important to Australia than this one,' Albanese said. 'And no nation is more important to the prosperity, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific than Indonesia.' Albanese has visited Indonesia four times since becoming Australia's premier in 2022. Newly elected Australian prime ministers typically make their first bilateral visit to Asia, usually Indonesia. Prabowo said the two countries were committed to 'complete the ratification process' of their latest defense agreement. 'We will continue discussing other possibilities to improve and increase cooperation in defense,' he added. During their meeting, Albanese and Prabowo also discussed cooperation in trade, food security, energy transition, critical minerals and people-to-people relations.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Australian PM Albanese dismisses Russian ‘you have no cards' warning as ‘propaganda'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday once again rejected opposition's call to ban Palestinians fleeing Gaza from entering Australia Listen to article Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected a provocative warning from Russia's ambassador to Indonesia, labelling it 'propaganda' and reaffirming Australia's strong ties with Indonesia amid reports of a possible Russian military base in the region. In a letter published in The Jakarta Post, Russian envoy Sergei Tolchenov claimed Australia had 'no cards' to play in preventing potential military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia. The letter followed reports that Moscow had requested to base aircraft at Biak Island in eastern Indonesia, about 1,300km from Darwin. Albanese dismissed the warning, stating, 'Russia has very different values under an authoritarian leader. I have no wish to help promote Russia's propaganda messages.' The Indonesian government has denied granting permission for any foreign military base. 'Reports of the prospect of Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia are simply not true,' said Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, quoting his Indonesian counterpart. Despite the denials, the Russian letter intensified political tensions in Australia, with the opposition demanding briefings and accusing the government of obfuscation. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticised ministers for inconsistent messaging, but Albanese maintained that Australia's national interest lies in upholding truth, not amplifying Russian disinformation. Russia also took aim at Australia's security relationship with the United States, referencing AUKUS and US military presence on Australian soil. Tolchenov accused both major Australian parties of 'playing the Russian card' for political gain during an election cycle. Indonesia's Defence Ministry reiterated there was no agreement with Russia, and both Jakarta and Canberra have worked to reaffirm their partnership, which includes around 20 joint military exercises annually. The Australian government remains confident in its longstanding strategic ties with Indonesia, underpinned by the 2006 Lombok Treaty and the 2023 Defence Cooperation Agreement.
