RI-Australia Can Play Role as Axis of Regional Stability

Power competition in the Indo-Pacific is getting tense. The revitalization of Indonesia-Australia relations will not only benefit the two countries, but can also serve as an axis of stability and peace.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

President Joko widodo and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cycle together at the Bogor Palace complex, West Java, Monday (6/6/2022).

BOGOR, KOMPAS — President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have agreed to push together for regional stability and peace. Therefore, China's strategic competition against the United States (US) and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region must be managed properly to help prevent rivalries from turning into an open conflict.

“Strategic competition in the region needs to be managed properly to avoid open conflict. The culture of peace and strategic trust needs to be strengthened," President Jokowi said in a joint press conference with PM Albanese at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Monday (6/6/2022).

The two leaders exchanged their views over regional and world issues, including the war in Ukraine, Indo-Pacific cooperation and development partnerships in the Pacific.

China has an ambition to pursue global expansion, while the US is concerned about maintaining its strategic position. Rivalry between the two is inevitable, which has escalated in recent years to the extent it is feared to build up into a conflict.

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In fact, the conflict of interests has involved other several countries, including Australia as an ally of the US, with the Indo-Pacific being the epicenter. It is believed that the US-China power competition will dominate international geopolitics at least for the next ten years.

"In general, I reiterate Indonesia's consistent position that good relations between the two countries will contribute to regional peace and prosperity. Therefore, international principles and laws must be consistently adhered to,” said the President.

Indonesia and Australia have built two cooperation frameworks, which the President hailed as strong foundation in their bilateral relations, namely a comprehensive strategic partnership since 2018 and the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), since 2020. "These two foundations are very important for both countries to continue to strengthen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation," the President said.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (second from right) holds a press conference in Jakarta, Monday (6/6/2022). Indonesia became the first country he visited after being sworn in on May 23. He was accompanied by (left to right:) Minister of Industry and Science Ed Husic, Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, and Minister of Trade and Tourism Dan Farrell..

In addition to the regional and global issues, President Jokowi and PM Albanese looked forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries with focus on the economy. In this regard, the President hoped that Australia would allow more access for Indonesian export products with high added value, such as automotive.

The President also expressed his hopes that the implementation of the IA-CEPA would be improved, mainly related to the opportunity for Indonesian citizens to work in Australia. For that, the government of Australia was expected to raise the quota of the working holiday visa quota to 5,000 per year. The President also sought improved cooperation in the fields of education and health.

Revitalizing relations

PM Albanese hailed Australia’s relations with Indonesia as one of the most important bilateral partnerships. He said the relations between the two countries happened not simply because of their geographical closeness but “we choose to be [friends]”. He said Indonesia and Australia had built cooperation and friendly relations for a long time.

Acknowledging that Indonesia was on path toward becoming one of the world's five largest economies, PM Albanese considers it a priority for both countries to revitalize their trade and investment relations. He asked the ministers in the field of economy to coordinate more closely.

During the joint press conference with President Jokowi, PM Albanese did not mention geopolitical issues. However, he expressed his views at a separate press conference in Jakarta as he was responding to reporters' questions.

NINA SUSILO

After planting trees together, President Joko Widodo and Australian PM Anthony Albanese took turns pouring water to wash their partners' hands. This is the Albanese PM's first overseas visit. President Jokowi welcomes at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Monday (6/6/2022).

Speaking about Australia's vision, he said his government prioritized security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and cooperation between countries within the region was key to preventing the simmering heated condition from becoming an open conflict.

He said the geopolitical power competition was evident in the Indo-Pacific region. Being perceived to have been expanding its influence, China was accused of being very intrusive and aggressive in the South China Sea.

PM Albanese evaded a question about his government's plans for the Australia-British-United States (AUKUS) defense pact, which was considered by Indo-Pacific countries to heat up the regional situation. One of the implications of the AUKUS pact is that Australia will operate nuclear-powered submarines to patrol the Indo-Pacific waters.

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Regarding the pact, he said it was necessary to discuss the issue more in-depth with Indonesia in next meetings. He said maintaining regional stability and security was the most important factor, which became Australia's focus in addressing the geopolitical development in the region.

Albanese made Indonesia his first destination for a bilateral visit after being sworn in as prime minister on 22 May. This has become the tradition for an Australian newly inaugurated leader.

PM Albanese's arrival in Jakarta was greeted in a state ceremony with 19 salvos, complete with the honor guard members dressed in traditional attire. President Jokowi and PM Albanese planted a camphor tree (Dryobalanops lanceolata) in the backyard of the Bogor Palace as a marker of friendship between the two countries.

The two leaders then rode bamboo bicycles to a restaurant located in the middle of the Bogor Botanical Gardens while chatting casually.

This article was translated by Musthofid.