News|MilitaryAustralia, Indonesia agree to upgraded defence pactThe security pact, to be signed in January, pledges both countries to consult each other on security concerns.
Australia and Indonesia say they are close to signing a “watershed” defence treaty that will upgrade their already close collaboration on security issues.
Australia and Indonesia say they are close to signing a “watershed” defence treaty that will upgrade their already close collaboration on security issues.
The treaty was approved on Wednesday by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto , who is on his first state visit to Australia, although the pact between the two countries will not be officially signed until January.
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It will also facilitate “mutually beneficial security activities, and if either or both countries’ security is threatened, to consult and consider what measures may be taken, either individually or jointly, to deal with those threats”, Albanese said.
Australia and Indonesia say they are close to signing a “watershed” defence treaty that will upgrade their already close collaboration on security issues.
“This treaty is a recognition from both our nations that the best way to secure that peace and stability is by acting together,” he added.
“It signals a new era in the Australia-Indonesia relationship,” he said, adding that the deal committed the two countries to “close cooperation in the defence and security field”.
“Good neighbours will help each other in times of difficulties,” Prabowo said.
Within Indonesian culture, he added, “we have a saying when we face an emergency, it is our neighbour that will help us”.
Today I stood alongside my friend Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on HMAS Canberra to make an historic announcement. The governments of Australia and Indonesia have just substantively concluded negotiations on a new bilateral treaty on our common security. Australia’s…
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.