Indonesia and Australia Sign Security Agreement
According to a report by Reference News on February 7, the Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao reported on February 6 that Indonesian President Prabowo and Australian Prime Minister Albanese signed a bilateral security agreement in Jakarta on the 6th.
Albanese stated before flying to Jakarta that this agreement is a "watershed" in Australia-India relations, "marking a significant expansion in security and defense cooperation between the two sides, indicating that our relationship remains as strong as ever." After talks with Albanese, Prabowo expressed that both sides committed to consulting each other if one party faces a security threat.
Indonesia pursues a non-aligned foreign policy, committing to maintaining friendly relations with any country but not joining any formal military alliances. Prabowo stated, "For Indonesia, the agreement reflects our commitment to the principle of good neighborliness and our steadfast commitment to a proactive foreign policy of freedom."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the security agreement signed on the 6th is based on the security agreement signed by the two countries in 1995. The 1995 bilateral security agreement was revoked in 1999.
Since taking office in 2022, the Albanese government has signed a series of defense, policing, and aid agreements in the Pacific region.
On February 6, 2023, Indonesia and Australia signed a bilateral security agreement in Jakarta. This agreement marks a significant expansion in security defense cooperation, with both nations committing to consult each other in the event of security threats. The agreement builds on a previous security pact from 1995, which was revoked in 1999.
- Indonesia and Australia signed a bilateral security agreement on February 6, 2023.
- The agreement signifies a major expansion in security defense cooperation between the two nations.
- Both leaders emphasized the importance of mutual consultation in case of security threats.
- The agreement is based on a previous security agreement from 1995, which was revoked in 1999.
- Australia's government has signed several defense agreements in the Pacific region since taking office in 2022.