TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles, who concurrently serves as the Australian Deputy Prime Minister, on August 20, 2024, in Canberra. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral defense cooperation to foster a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.

Australia in its statement wrote that both nations shared a positive vision and constructive views with ASEAN as a stabilizing force in the region. In the meeting, Marles and Prabowo announced the completion of negotiations to elevate the Australia-Indonesia Defense Cooperation Agreement to a treaty level. This DCA will complement the Lombok Treaty (2006) and the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2018).

The two ministers discussed progress in strengthening bilateral defense relations in various aspects and areas of cooperation, including deeper educational ties and closer cooperation in the field of maritime security.

Once implemented, the DCA will support robust Indonesia-Australia defense cooperation by deepening dialogue, strengthening interoperability, enhancing practical arrangements for the mutual benefit of both nations, and highlighting a shared commitment to work together to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Prabowo and Marles also agreed to finalize implementing arrangements to further enhance the effectiveness of the two countries' defense cooperation. The meeting reflected the depth of strategic trust, mutual respect, and friendship between Australia and Indonesia.

SUCI SEKARWATI

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