Australia and Indonesia are working to expand defense and security cooperation and to bolster coordination on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, international peacekeeping, anti-piracy efforts and maritime security.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr and Defense Minister Stephen Smith will welcome their Indonesian counterparts to Canberra on March 15, for the inaugural Australia-Indonesia Foreign and Defense Ministers` 2+2 Dialogue.

The 2+2 Dialogue is an important and historic step in further strengthening the existing close relationship between Australia and Indonesia, the Australian Embassy said in a media release on Wednesday.

Senator Carr said he looked forward to wide-ranging discussions with Natalegawa and Yusgiantoro on foreign and defence policy matters of common interest, and identifying bilateral, regional and global challenges and opportunities.

"This dialogue with our Indonesian friends and neighbors serves as an essential forum to identify areas of future bilateral cooperation."

This inaugural meeting of the Foreign and Defense Ministers will focus on bilateral cooperation under the Lombok Treaty, wider regional cooperation, the current global environment and its consequences for Australia and Indonesia.

Australia`s close and important relationship with Indonesia is reinforced by the Lombok Treaty, including a shared commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of both countries.

"Australia and Indonesia are working to expand defense and security cooperation and to bolster coordination on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, international peacekeeping, anti-piracy efforts and maritime security," Smith said.

"This dialogue will enhance the long-standing political, economic, social, defense and security cooperation that exists between Australia and Indonesia, and help chart a course for our common regional interests and ties, including in the stability, progress and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region."

The Australia-Indonesia 2+2 Dialogue was agreed upon during President Yudhoyono`s state visit to Australia in March 2010, and will be Senator Carr`s first official meeting with his Indonesian counterpart since his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs.



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(T.A014/A/KR-BSR/A/A014) 14-03-2012 18:59:22

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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