Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia this week for a Defence Ministers' Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defence, His Excellency Gen (ret) Dr Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
Indonesia is one of Australia's closest and most important partners. Our relationship is built on friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace and security in the region.
The Defence Ministers' Meeting will build on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Jakarta last month to sign the Australia‑Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, which reflects the close friendship, partnership and deep trust between Australia and Indonesia.
It will also give Ministers the opportunity to progress the historic Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed by Australia and Indonesia in August 2024.
Through this agreement, Australia and Indonesia continue to enhance practical arrangements, strengthening interoperability and support increased dialogue between our defence forces.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
"Our bilateral defence ties with Indonesia make an important contribution to our shared security, and that of the region.
"The Defence Cooperation Agreement represents a historic step in our defence cooperation, which has been further enhanced by the recently signed Treaty on Common Security.
"Australia is committed to working more closely than ever before with Indonesia, to support a secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific."
