Indonesia and Australia have reached an agreement on defense and security, strengthening the strategic partnership between the neighboring countries.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that Indonesia and Australia have reached an important agreement on defense and security, strengthening the strategic partnership between the neighboring countries.

The president made the remarks during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after inspecting the HMAS Canberra at Garden Island Naval Base, Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday (12/11).

According to President Prabowo, the agreement marks a new milestone for Indonesia and Australia in building closer cooperation to ensure stability and security in the region.

"We have had very good discussions, and I believe we have reached an important agreement, an important treaty between Australia and Indonesia," the president stated, as quoted by the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat on its website on Wednesday (12/11).

"Australia and Indonesia are committed to close cooperation in the field of defense and security, and fundamentally reaffirm our determination to enhance our friendship, and as partners and close neighbors, our determination to maintain the best possible relations to enhance and ensure the security of both our countries," he stated.

Defense and security cooperation between the two countries has increased significantly and now serves as one of the main pillars of bilateral relations.

The first defense-related memorandum of understanding was signed in 1995, then strengthened by the Lombok Treaty in 2006, and the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in 2024.

The head of state emphasized the importance of the spirit of good neighbor policy as the foundation of relations between the two countries.

President Prabowo underscored that Indonesia and Australia are destined to live side by side as neighbors who respect and support each other, especially when facing common challenges.

On the occasion, the president also expressed his appreciation to the Australian Government for the warm welcome during his state visit.

"I would like to once again thank the Australian Government, the Australian Prime Minister, and this administration for welcoming me. This is my first state visit to Australia, although I have been here many times, and I am delighted to have been received by the Governor-General this morning," he said.

"It is our destiny to be neighbors, so let us face our destiny with the best of intentions. I believe in the policy of good neighborliness. Good neighbors are important. Good neighbors will help each other in difficult times, and in Indonesian culture, there is a saying, when we face an emergency, it is our neighbors who will help us. Our relatives may be far away, but our neighbors are the closest, and only good neighbors will help each other," he noted.

Reporting by Indonesia Window