The prime minister said he looked forward to meeting Jokowi on Tuesday and to further strengthening the relationship with Indonesia, which he described as Australia`s most important neighbor.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has stated that his country wants Indonesias new President to succeed, because a strong, prospering, democratic Indonesia has so much to offer the world.

"President Jokowi now takes office with enormous goodwill - in his own country and in ours," Abbott, who is attending the presidential inauguration, said in his message on the inauguration of Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as Indonesias seventh president, here, Monday.

The prime minister said he looked forward to meeting Jokowi on Tuesday and to further strengthening the relationship with Indonesia, which he described as Australias most important neighbor.

The transition to a new administration highlights Indonesias successful move to a popularly elected democracy, he stated in the message posted on the prime ministers official website.

"The inauguration is an important occasion for Indonesia and also for Australia because Indonesia is a hugely important neighbour. It has the worlds largest Muslim population, it is the worlds third largest democracy and, along with India, its the emerging democratic superpower of Asia," he remarked.

Almost one million Australians visit Indonesia, including Bali, every year and over 17,000 Indonesian students study in Australia each year.

On present trends, Indonesia will be the fourth biggest economy in the world by mid-century.

"Yet despite this, two-way trade with Indonesia is only $15 billion. In fact, our two-way trade with New Zealand, with just four million people, exceeds our current two-way trade with Indonesia and its 250 million people," he pointed out.

He reiterated that Australias foreign policy needs a "Jakarta" focus rather than a "Geneva" one.

"As Prime Minister, my first overseas visit was to Jakarta and this is my fourth visit to Indonesia. I will visit many more times because this relationship is fundamental to Australia," he added.

The Government is taking other steps to strengthen this vital relationship, including through the New Colombo Plan, which will see more young Australians study in Indonesia.

The new Australia Indonesia Centre at Monash University is promoting greater understanding of Indonesia and its importance to Australia.

"And we have restored the live cattle trade which is now back to its pre-cancellation peak," he said.

Abbott also praised outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a great friend of Australia. He has been a friend to successive Australian Prime Ministers since John Howard, he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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