"Therefore, I am determined to maintain the best relationship with our neighbors. And we are grateful that Australia views Indonesia as a close friend," Prabowo said in a joint press statement with Albanese at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, the same day.
He disclosed that PM Albanese was the first world leader to congratulate him after he was elected the 8th President of Indonesia last year.
Likewise, when Albanese won the Australian Parliamentary Election and was re-elected as the Prime Minister of Australia, Prabowo congratulated him over telephone.
"I also called him when I heard he won," the Indonesian said.
Besides being a close neighbor geographically, Australia is a strategic partner for Indonesia, he added.
Under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), bilateral agreements have been reached in various sectors and people-to-people relations are improving, the President noted.
Meanwhile, PM Albanese emphasized that Indonesia is an irreplaceable partner for Australia.
He revealed that his government was inaugurated just one day before he left for Jakarta, which reflects the importance of Indonesia in Australia's foreign policy.
"Indonesia is an irreplaceable partner for Australia and our two nations have an unbreakable bond. I am honored to be able to visit Indonesia once again as my first bilateral visit after the general election," Albanese said.
He also highlighted the importance of economic cooperation and Indonesia's central role in ASEAN.
He expressed hope of expanding economic collaboration between the two countries in the rapidly growing Southeast Asian region.
Related news: Albanese's visit reaffirms Indonesia-Australia ties: Prabowo
Related news: Prabowo receives Australian PM Albanese at Merdeka Palace
Related news: Prabowo congratulates re-elected Albanese
Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
