Minister for Defence Stephen Smith, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and Minister for Home Affairs and Defence Materiel Jason Clare depart today for Indonesia for bilateral talks with counterpart Indonesian Ministers.
Discussions will cover a range of issues including defence cooperation and ongoing cooperation under the Indonesia Transport Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP).
While in Jakarta, Minister Smith will conduct the inaugural Indonesia-Australia Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Indonesian Defence Minister Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro. The establishment of the Annual Meeting is an important step in the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership and follows the inaugural Australia-Indonesia Foreign and Defence Ministers (“2+2”) Dialogue, held in Canberra in March this year.
Australian and Indonesian Defence Ministers will co-sign the Indonesia-Australia Defence Cooperation Arrangement, which will formalise and strengthen our bilateral defence relationship and provide a framework for future engagement initiatives.
Ministers Smith and Clare will attend a defence industry symposium to discuss opportunities for greater cooperation between Australian and Indonesian defence industries.
Australia and Indonesia share a long history of bilateral cooperation under a formal Memorandum of Understanding on transport cooperation.
Under this MOU, Australia has provided significant funding for the Indonesia Transport Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP).
This will be (the) third dialogue between Transport Ministers and will provide an opportunity to continue work under ITSAP.
Australia supports Indonesia’s leadership in the region and its advocacy for a secure and stable South East Asia. Our strong bilateral relationship continues to grow through practical cooperation and regular senior level dialogue.