JAKARTA: Australia and Indonesia signed a security treaty on Friday, paving the way for closer cooperation and new military training facilities in Southeast Asia´s largest economy.
The pact will facilitate defence initiatives that include embedding a senior Indonesian officer within Australia´s defence force, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement after the signing in Jakarta.
Australia will also support the development of military training facilities to boost Indonesia´s ability to conduct joint drills, he said.
Canberra has been seeking to bolster its military power in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China´s growing influence.
Indonesia has proven more cautious with its foreign policy, not wanting to be seen taking sides and upsetting Beijing, its biggest trading partner.
Albanese hailed the agreement as “a historic moment in our nations´ relationship”.
“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,” he added.
Indonesia´s President Prabowo Subianto said the new treaty reflects a “firm commitment to the good neighbour principle” and Indonesia´s “free and active” foreign policy.
“We believe that this agreement will be one of the important pillars for stability and cooperation in our region,” Prabowo said. Albanese is on his fifth official visit to Indonesia, which is due to conclude on Saturday.
