Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his strong leadership and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a joint press conference held at the Merdeka Palace following their bilateral meeting, 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 the country as a key partner for Australia across various areas such as economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically recognized Prabowo’s efforts in national development, including initiatives like the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as evidence of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing a connection between this program and the region’s potential for growth through free trade and stability, Albanese commended Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit marked Albanese’s first international trip since his re-election as Prime Minister and reinforced the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese humorously mentioned Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, showcasing the friendly rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, especially in areas like education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and promoting people-to-people connections.
