Australia must work closely alongside Indonesia amid the reshaping of the Indo-Pacific region, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says.
The comments come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Jakarta on Sunday night, ahead of crucial one-on-one talks with Indonesia President Joko Widodo later on Monday.
On the agenda will be bilateral trade between the two countries, climate and regional issues, with Australia also looking to strengthen a comprehensive strategic partnership with Indonesia.
Senator Wong is also travelling with the prime minister as part of a wide delegation of Australian senior ministers and businesses.
The foreign minister met with Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi shortly after landing in Jakarta, with Senator Wong describing the talks as constructive.
She said forging closer ties with Indonesia would be critical.
“We live in a time where the region is being reshaped and what is important is that countries work together to ensure that region remains peaceful, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty,” she said.
“Indonesia is a very important partner for Australia, it’s a very important neighbour and it’s a country which will continue to develop and continue to be critically important to the security of the region.”
The meetings come as China tries to convince Pacific island nations to join a regional security partnership.
Speaking to reporters after arriving in Jakarta, the prime minister said he not only wanted to strengthen ties with Indonesia, but across the region.
“We want to strengthen the relationship with Indonesia, but also with southeast Asia, we see that ASEAN is central to the region,” he said.
“In recent times, I think there shows there’s a need for us to strengthen that relationship.”
Mr Albanese will begin his first full day in Indonesia with a business breakfast, before one-on-one talks with President Widodo.
The prime minister will also meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi, before taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony and then a business dinner.
He will then fly to the Indonesian island of Makassar on Tuesday for the final day of his visit.
Senator Wong said the large number of Australian ministers and business leaders travelling with the prime minister showed how committed the country was to boosting ties.
“The economic piece of the relationship continues to need building,” she said.
“We know we can have a stronger, closer economic relationship, and that will yield benefits to both our nations.”
The prime minister said the relationship between the two countries was significant.
“This is more than symbolic, this is a friendship which is deep,” he said.
“Australia supported Indonesian independence in 1945, and my party has had a particularly strong relationship with Indonesia.”
