Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces Australia and Indonesia have finalised negotiations on an upgraded defence agreement which the federal government is hailing as the 'most significant' pact the two countries have ever signed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia and Indonesia have finalised negotiations on a defence agreement during a visit by Indonesia's incoming president, Prabowo Subianto .Australia and Indonesia have finalised negotiations on an upgraded defence agreement which the federal government is hailing as the "most significant" pact the two countries have ever signed.
Mr Albanese said the "treaty-level" agreement would "bolster our strong defence cooperation by deepening dialogue, strengthening interoperability and enhancing practical arrangements". "What this agreement will do is provide for much greater interoperability between our defence forces," he said. "As you know we are, by tradition, non-aligned. By tradition our people do not want us to be involved in any geopolitical or military alliances or groupings," he said."I have announced many times that we want the best of relationships with all great powers, but especially with our neighbours.""I'm very cognisant and very aware of the importance of the Australia-Indonesia relationship, being neighbours," he said.
"The new defence cooperation agreement recognises this reality and will help facilitate combined activities, but it does not signify a transformation of the two countries' strategic relationship which will still remain limited by differing world views including on China and the United States."
Anthony Albanese Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto Richard Marles
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