During a bilateral meeting with the Indonesian and Australian delegations at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, Prabowo welcomed the opportunity to meet Albanese since their last encounter in Lima, Peru.
"Our relationship has been good and quite close. Your visit today reaffirms this friendship, and we greatly appreciate it," Prabowo stated.
In his remarks, the president expressed his honor in welcoming Albanese, noting that Indonesia was the first country the Australian leader visited after re-election.
Although Prabowo had previously congratulated Albanese by phone, he also offered his congratulations in person for Albanese's re-election as prime minister.
"I would also like to personally congratulate you on your re-election as prime minister of Australia and your party's historic victory in the parliamentary election," Prabowo stated.
According to the head of state, Albanese's visit is expected to increase cooperation in various sectors, including bilateral, regional, and global fields.
Meanwhile, PM Albanese described his meeting with President Prabowo as highly productive.
Related news: Prabowo receives Australian PM Albanese at Merdeka Palace
Albanese, who has visited Indonesia four times, also acknowledged the special relationship between Australia and Indonesia.
"The day before we start this visit to our neighboring country, our important friends in Indonesia, I want to, both symbolically and in practice, show these two countries how much we value friendship in Indonesia by holding my first bilateral meeting, again, just like in 2022," he remarked.
Prabowo received Albanese at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday morning as part of his three-day visit to Indonesia.
Albanese's visit to Jakarta is also part of the Annual Leaders Meeting between Indonesia and Australia.
Related news: Prabowo congratulates re-elected Albanese
Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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