Indonesia-Australia cooperation important for peace: defence minister

Thepresidentpost.id - Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has stressed that cooperation between Indonesia and Australia can significantly contribute to efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

"The cooperation between Indonesia and Australia can make an important contribution to peace and stability in the region," said Minister Subianto while receiving a visit from Deputy Prime Minister and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles at his office here on Monday.

The minister emphasized that bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia are supported by mutual trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to a stable, peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

During a closed meeting, the two discussed strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.

Defense cooperation between Indonesia and Australia is going well.

This was demonstrated in the dispatch of four Military Academy cadets to Australia in February 2022 to study for 18 months at the Australian Defense Force Academy (ADFA) and Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon.

The Australian government also donated a Bushmaster tactical vehicle to the Indonesian military's Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP), whose acceptance was approved by the House of Representatives on April 3, 2023.

Marles paid a visit to the ministry on Monday on the sidelines of his agenda in Indonesia from June 5–7.

He made the visit after attending the 2023 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last weekend.

The visit is a continuation of Marles and Subianto's meeting at the 2+2 Meeting of Indonesian-Australian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers in Canberra, Australia, on February 8.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the dynamics and rivalries between major powers and maritime security in the ASEAN and Pacific regions.

At the meeting, Indonesia expressed its concern over the increasing rivalry in the region, which has the potential to lead to open conflict if not handled properly.