"This will be an important visit, as it is a visit to a close neighbor," spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir noted during a press briefing here on Thursday.
President Widodo is scheduled to have a state dinner with Prime Minister Malcom Turbull accompanied by their spouses during the visit to Australia, Nasir stated.
President Widodo will discuss several issues and areas of cooperation, such as the acceleration of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the expansion of cooperation in the education, tourism, cybersecurity, maritime, and investment sectors.
Moreover, Indonesia will promote its sustainable products, such as timber, palm oil, and pulp and paper, in the Australian market.
In terms of people-to-people cooperation, Indonesia will inaugurate three Indonesian language centers in Canberra, Perth, and Melbourne.
President Widodo will also meet Australian businessmen and enterprises as well as Indonesian citizens residing in Australia, Nasir revealed.
The suspended military cooperation between the two countries is also expected to continue.
"It depends on the investigation result delivered to the TNI," Nasir noted.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi is scheduled to accompany the president along with several high-ranking Indonesian officials.
President Widodo had earlier postponed his plan to visit Australia in November after a protest in Jakarta turned violent.
The volatile situation on the domestic front had required the president to stay in Indonesia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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