TEMPO.CO, Canberra - Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott will make his first official visit to Indonesia on September 30. His visit to Jakarta will include discussion of Australia’s controversial asylum seeker policy with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The president’s special staffer for foreign affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, told Tempo that the PM’s visit would include discussion of "all issues that can be prioritized in a bilateral partnership such as the economy, politics, social culture" and other topics. Faizasyah added that he believes the two state leaders will not just "stick to one issue."
Abbott announced the new members of his cabinet yesterday, while promising a return to a stable government. Abbott also said that his first priority is to begin difficult discussions with Indonesia on border protection measures to stop asylum boat arrivals in Australia, reported Reuters.
"By virtue of its size, proximity and potential, this is an extraordinarily important relationship to Australia," Abbott said. "I'm determined to get the relationship off to the best possible start."
Abbott’s controversial asylum seeker policy has sparked criticism from Indonesia. As part of its new policy, Australia plans to work with so-called informants in Indonesian fishing villages, in order to detect whether asylum seekers will be heading their way.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa rejected these plans saying that Indonesia "cannot accept this" as it is not in the spirit of partnership between the two nations.
REUTERS | THE AUSTRALIAN | NATALIA SANTI
