Joint Statement between The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and The Government of Australia
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, walking through the House of Representatives.
(Photo: David Foote, AUSPIC)
During President Joko Widodo’s state visit to Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Widodo met for the Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting and held a Joint Ministerial Meeting with other Australian and Indonesian Ministers in Canberra on 10 February 2020.
Leaders acknowledged the recent 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Australia and Indonesia, and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation under the five pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018.
Leaders witnessed the signing of the Plan of Action for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by Foreign Ministers, which outlines the practical cooperation between the two countries for 2020-2024.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Lombok Treaty, signed in 2006, which outlines Indonesia and Australia’s respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as being the bedrock of our defence and security relationship.
Enhanced Economic and Development Partnership
Leaders welcomed the imminent completion of their respective domestic processes for the ratification of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA‑CEPA).
Australia and Indonesia committed to deepening our economic, trade and investment relationship, including taking forward initiatives this year to harvest early benefits from IA‑CEPA ratification. This will include full implementation of IA-CEPA and early work on an IA‑CEPA Economic Cooperation Program; an Australian Business Week delegation led by the Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, and a further visit by major Australian private sector investors; the establishment of a CEO Roundtable; the development of a Blueprint for Trade and Investment in Indonesia and assistance to Indonesian SME exporters.
A bilateral Economic, Trade and Investment Ministers’ Meeting will be inaugurated, to drive this deepening of cooperation on bilateral and global economic issues. A Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting will also be established.
Leaders noted opportunities for increasing people-to-people links, including through IA‑CEPA’s skills package, and that Indonesian access to Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa will increase from 1000 to 4100 upon IA-CEPA’s entry into force, and increase further to 5000 in the sixth year of the Agreement.
Leaders reaffirmed the benefits of open markets and inclusive regional economic integration. Leaders committed to working constructively together through the G20, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other regional and multilateral fora to support the multilateral trading system and take forward WTO reform. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and will work together to finalise all outstanding negotiations ahead of signature in 2020, completing an agreement which builds on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and which complements IA-CEPA.
Through our longstanding economic partnership for development, Leaders agreed to cooperate to encourage sustainable and inclusive economic growth and stability; address poverty and inequality; strengthen human capital, education and skills; promote women's leadership and empowerment; and support disability inclusion.
Given how close eastern Indonesia and northern Australia are, Leaders agreed to explore ways to further boost economic cooperation and connectivity, including through better transportation links.
Leaders highlighted opportunities for collaboration on the relocation of Indonesia’s capital city, a national development priority for Indonesia.
Connecting People
Leaders expressed their sincere sympathies to those affected by the bushfires in Australia, and the recent flooding in Jakarta. Australia welcomed the deployment of Indonesian military engineers to assist in the response to the bushfires. Leaders reflected on our countries’ long and proud history of supporting each other in times of need – from TNI’s assistance to Australia following Cyclone Tracy in 1974 to the ADF’s assistance following the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in 2018.
Leaders recognised that shared links in areas such as education and research collaboration help to create greater understanding between our communities and act as a springboard for an even broader partnership between our two countries. Leaders welcomed the continuation of programs such as Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE), the New Colombo Plan, the Destination Australia Program, the Darmasiswa Scholarship, and the Indonesia Arts and Culture Scholarship, which enhance interactions among students and teachers from both countries.
Leaders welcomed the announcement that Monash University will open a campus in Indonesia – the first foreign university campus in Indonesia – which will greatly strengthen educational collaboration between the two countries.
Leaders welcomed the holding of the first Interfaith Dialogue in Bandung in March 2019, and committed to another Interfaith Dialogue in 2021.
Securing Our and the Region’s Shared Interests
Leaders acknowledged the closeness of the two countries’ wide-ranging bilateral cooperation on justice, law and security. They welcomed the achievements of the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice II, aimed at supporting Indonesia’s law and justice institutions and civil society, and strengthening our overall security architecture.
Leaders acknowledged the need for an increased focus on countering violent extremism, and committed to work together to prevent radicalisation, challenge extremist propaganda, and maintain strong, cohesive, and multicultural and multi-faith societies.
Leaders highlighted the importance of bilateral strategic dialogue, including through the annual 2+2 meetings between Foreign and Defence Ministers, held most recently in Bali in December 2019.
Leaders welcomed the ongoing Indonesia-Australia Ministerial Council on Law and Security, and the Indonesia-Australia Counter Terrorism Consultation as important forums for strengthening cooperation on the evolving threats of terrorism, transnational crime and cyber security.
Leaders highlighted the ongoing success of the Sub-Regional Meeting established in 2017 and co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia as a regional mechanism to collectively respond to transnational security threats, particularly terrorism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters.
Leaders emphasised the importance of an open, free and secure Internet to economic growth and innovation. Leaders welcomed the concrete program of bilateral activities underway, particularly Cyber Bootcamps for Indonesian officials, and regular training on cyber security, cyber policy and international law and norms. Leaders resolved to further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest and welcomed further initiatives supported by the Cyber Cooperation Program to strengthen cyber security skills, institutions and digital skills development through short-term fellowship opportunities. Leaders looked forward to the next Indonesia-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue taking place in 2020.
In the context of Co-Chairing the Bali Process, Leaders acknowledged the two countries’ constructive bilateral cooperation to counter people smuggling and trafficking in persons in collaboration with regional partners. Leaders looked forward to the next Bali Process Ministerial Conference taking place in late 2020. Leaders welcomed progress on the Bali Process Government and Business Forum to engage the private sector in addressing trafficking in persons and related exploitation.
Leaders emphasised the importance of protecting the victims and witnesses of serious transnational crimes such as trafficking in persons and terrorism. Indonesia and Australia have committed to work together to strengthen domestic and regional capacity to effectively assist victims and witnesses.
Leaders acknowledged that the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) will continue to be a centre of excellence for capacity building on law enforcement in combating transnational, serious and organised crime.
Leaders witnessed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding on Transportation Security Cooperation, recognising the importance of the transport sector to the economic and social development of both countries.
Maritime Cooperation
With a view to strengthening cooperation in the Indian Ocean, Leaders welcomed the elevation of the Indonesia-Australia-India Strategic Dialogue to Foreign Ministers’ level, with the first meeting to be held as soon as practicable, and looked forward to working closely with India in strengthening the resilience of the Indian Ocean countries, including through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Leaders also agreed on the importance of working together in the South Pacific. They welcomed the first iteration of the Indonesia-South Pacific Forum held in March 2019 as well as the Pacific Exposition held in Auckland in July 2019; and looked forward to trilateral development cooperation with Pacific neighbours in areas of mutual interest to support the development and economic prosperity of the region.
Leaders agreed on the need to deepen our collaboration in support of ASEAN-led regional architecture. Australia commended Indonesia’s leadership of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and welcomed Indonesia’s plans to host the World Economic Forum on ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific 2020 in July, in which Australia looks forward to participating.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment for Australia and Indonesia to work collaboratively toward the establishment of a co-deployment to a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation as a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They highlighted that the co-deployment would elevate our contribution to the implementation of the United Nations' Action for Peacekeeping initiative and our already strong and mature defence cooperation, as it would be the first time Australia and Indonesia deploy together.
Leaders also emphasised their commitment to continue to work together at the UN to support the international rules-based order, acknowledging Indonesia’s term on the UN Security Council (2019-20) and both countries’ current membership of the UN Human Rights Council (Australia 2018-20; Indonesia 2020-22).
Leaders welcomed continued cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in the G20, including in advocating for action to give effect to the G20 commitment to end IUU fishing and in supporting the G20 initiative on preventing terrorist exploitation of the internet.
Leaders affirmed the continued importance of APEC in promoting sustainable development and free, and open trade. Leaders will advocate for an ambitious APEC post-2020 vision to follow the 1994 Bogor Goals under Malaysia’s APEC Chairmanship in 2020.
Leaders recognised the importance of collaboration and cooperation in managing and responding to disaster risks and humanitarian crises in the Indo-Pacific region and will bolster these efforts through a new Indonesia-Australia Partnership in Disaster Risk Management, including to build capacity in disaster risk management at the sub-national level in Indonesia.
Building on decades of collaboration in the health sector, Leaders agreed to explore new opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation, including through a new Indonesia-Australia Health Security Partnership, which will operate in collaboration with Australia’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security to help prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks in our region.
Contributing to Indo-Pacific Stability and Prosperity
President Widodo expressed his sincere gratitude to the Australian Government for the warm welcome and the hospitalities accorded to him and the Indonesian delegation during the state visit, which reflects the bonds of long-standing friendship and solid foundation for the advancement of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Leaders also agreed on the importance of working together in the South Pacific. They welcomed the first iteration of the Indonesia-South Pacific Forum held in March 2019 as well as the Pacific Exposition held in Auckland in July 2019; and looked forward to trilateral development cooperation with Pacific neighbours in areas of mutual interest to support the development and economic prosperity of the region.
Leaders agreed on the need to deepen our collaboration in support of ASEAN-led regional architecture. Australia commended Indonesia’s leadership of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and welcomed Indonesia’s plans to host the World Economic Forum on ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific 2020 in July, in which Australia looks forward to participating.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment for Australia and Indonesia to work collaboratively toward the establishment of a co-deployment to a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation as a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They highlighted that the co-deployment would elevate our contribution to the implementation of the United Nations' Action for Peacekeeping initiative and our already strong and mature defence cooperation, as it would be the first time Australia and Indonesia deploy together.
Leaders also emphasised their commitment to continue to work together at the UN to support the international rules-based order, acknowledging Indonesia’s term on the UN Security Council (2019-20) and both countries’ current membership of the UN Human Rights Council (Australia 2018-20; Indonesia 2020-22).
Leaders welcomed continued cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in the G20, including in advocating for action to give effect to the G20 commitment to end IUU fishing and in supporting the G20 initiative on preventing terrorist exploitation of the internet.
Leaders affirmed the continued importance of APEC in promoting sustainable development and free, and open trade. Leaders will advocate for an ambitious APEC post-2020 vision to follow the 1994 Bogor Goals under Malaysia’s APEC Chairmanship in 2020.
Leaders recognised the importance of collaboration and cooperation in managing and responding to disaster risks and humanitarian crises in the Indo-Pacific region and will bolster these efforts through a new Indonesia-Australia Partnership in Disaster Risk Management, including to build capacity in disaster risk management at the sub-national level in Indonesia.
Building on decades of collaboration in the health sector, Leaders agreed to explore new opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation, including through a new Indonesia-Australia Health Security Partnership, which will operate in collaboration with Australia’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security to help prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks in our region.
President Widodo expressed his sincere gratitude to the Australian Government for the warm welcome and the hospitalities accorded to him and the Indonesian delegation during the state visit, which reflects the bonds of long-standing friendship and solid foundation for the advancement of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.