Joint media statement - Jakarta, Indonesia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, Mr President for your generous words and your very warm welcome. I'm very pleased to be back in Jakarta. No country is more important to Australia - or to the prosperity, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific - than Indonesia. We share a deep trust and unbreakable bond as neighbours, partners and friends. In this spirit of friendship, I extend Australia's condolences to the Indonesian people for all those lost in the tragic flooding and landslides in Sumatra last year and West Java just last month. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. I would like to thank you, President Prabowo, and the people of Indonesia, for the condolences that were extended to the Australian people following the Bondi attack in December. In November last year, I had the honour of hosting you in Sydney. There, we announced the substantive conclusion of negotiations for a new bilateral Treaty on Common Security. And today we have signed the Treaty of Jakarta 2026. The Treaty reflects the close friendship, partnership and deep trust between Australia and Indonesia, under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It builds on a history of defence cooperation dating back three decades to the Keating and Suharto governments which was signed back in December 1995. Today, I was delighted to sign this Treaty with Bapak President - a historic moment in our nations' relationship. And recognition that the best way to secure peace and stability in our region is by acting together. This agreement signals that Australia and Indonesia's relationship is stronger than it has ever been. The fact we are signing this treaty today is testament to President Prabowo's strong leadership and his personal commitment to promoting security in our region and indeed around the world. As I have said, the Treaty is a significant extension of our existing security and defence cooperation. It demonstrates the strength of our partnership and depth of our trust and cooperation. Australia and Indonesia share one of the world's longest maritime boundaries, which naturally makes us close partners. But today, we are more than just partners - we are close friends. Today, to complement the Treaty on Common Security, I am pleased to announce a range of new defence cooperation initiatives that reflect the growing strategic trust and ambition in our relationship, including: offering to establish a new embedded position for a senior Indonesian officer in the Australian Defence Force, reflecting and reinforcing that trust between our two nations. Supporting the development of joint defence training facilities to increase Indonesia's ability to conduct joint exercises with your partners - including Australia. Expanding military education exchanges between our militaries to build relationships and increase understanding between our next generation of military leaders. Deepening Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia, and with Southeast Asia more broadly, has been a top priority for my Government. To that end, we have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Government and the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund, Danantara. This will lead to increased cooperation and information sharing between Australian agencies and Indonesia's newest sovereign wealth fund. Just as importantly, it will help identify opportunities for increased two-way investment between our nations, bolstering our shared economic security and resilience. Bapak President, I thank you for the important discussions we've had today, and for your generous hospitality. I have no doubt the relationship between Australia and Indonesia will continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead. And that we will continue working together as neighbours, but more importantly as friends, to keep building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Terima Kasih.