In a joint statement, the Australian and Indonesian defence ministers say they have instructed officials to begin negotiations to 'elevate' the existing defence cooperation pact between the two countries to 'an agreement that is binding under international law'.
abc.net.au/news/indonesia-australia-defence-cooperation-aukus/101959330Indonesia and Australia have promised to strike a new defence cooperation agreement, despite lingering tensions over the federal government's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
In a joint statement, the two ministers said they had instructed officials to begin negotiations to "elevate" the existing defence cooperation pact between the two countries to "an agreement that is binding under international law". The statement also flags that Indonesian and Australian armed forces could be given reciprocal access to training ranges, as well as being granted easier access for joint military activities.
The announcement indicates that Indonesia remains willing to continue building deeper police, intelligence and military ties with Australia, even though the bilateral relationship has been tested by Australia's nuclear submarine plan., and its diplomats have repeatedly raised concerns that Australia's submarine acquisition could unsettle the region and create a worrying nuclear proliferation precedent.
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