Indonesia and Australia have had two strong foundations in bilateral relations, namely the comprehensive strategic partnership that has been established since 2018 and the IA-CEPA that has entered into force in 2020Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) has strengthened relations between both nations, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in a joint press statement with the visiting Australian PM Anthony Albanese at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Monday.
"Indonesia and Australia have had two strong foundations in bilateral relations, namely the comprehensive strategic partnership that has been established since 2018 and the IA-CEPA that has entered into force in 2020," Jokowi said.
Jokowi emphasized that the two foundations are important for both nations to continue to strengthen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.
During the Indonesia-Australia bilateral meeting, Jokowi and Albanese discussed efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange opinions on various issues that are currently afflicting the region and the world.
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"With regard to bilateral issues, we are more focused on discussing about economic cooperation," Jokowi stated.
Moreover, Jokowi said he was honored to receive the visit of Albanese and other Australian delegates, as Indonesia became the first destination country to have been visited by Albanese after being sworn as Australia's 31st Prime Minister two weeks ago.
"This shows the closeness between the two countries' governments and people. I have known PM Albanese. We met in 2020, and Indonesia was also the first country he visited when he was elected as the Leader of the Opposition in 2019," the president explained.
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Meanwhile, Albanese expressed gratitude to Jokowi and the Indonesian delegation for the warm welcome extended during their visit to the Bogor Presidential Palace.
"Terima kasih, Bapak Presiden (Thank you, Mr. President)," Albanese said in Indonesian.
Furthermore, Albanese affirmed that bilateral cooperation between Australia and Indonesia is crucial. He stressed that both countries have geographic proximity and shared friendly relations since a long time.
According to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Indonesia and Australia have opened diplomatic relations with each other since 1949.
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Translator: Rangga J, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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