The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his strong leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a joint press conference held after a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese praised Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting its significance as a key partner for Australia in various sectors such as economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically mentioned the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren as an example of Prabowo’s dedication to national development and social welfare. He lauded this initiative as a reflection of the government’s commitment to human capital development and drew parallels between it and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability.
The visit, Albanese’s first international trip since his re-election as Prime Minister, reaffirmed the strong relationship between Australia and Indonesia. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese jokingly mentioned Prabowo’s enjoyment of horseback riding, showcasing a friendly rapport between the two leaders. This visit solidified the commitment of both nations to expand their strategic partnership, particularly in areas like education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.