Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The public acknowledgment came during a joint press conference post a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace. Albanese commended Prabowo for his vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges, emphasizing Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Recognizing Indonesia as a key partner to Australia in various aspects like economics, politics, and security cooperation, Albanese highlighted the significance of the strong bilateral relationship.
Specifically, Albanese applauded Prabowo’s initiatives in national development, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a reflection of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital growth. Drawing parallels between this program and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability, Albanese hailed Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit marked Albanese’s first international trip after his re-election as Prime Minister, accentuating the robust Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment during the press conference, Albanese playfully mentioned Prabowo’s passion for horseback riding, showcasing a warm interaction between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to expand their strategic partnership, particularly in sectors like education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and building people-to-people connections.
