We’ve got your back, Anthony Albanese tells Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

Anthony Albanese has told the Indonesian President he would back his application to join the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as the OECD.

Anthony Albanese and Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Thursday. Picture: X

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Anthony Albanese has thrown Australia’s support behind Indonesia’s bid to join one of the world’s biggest trade agreements as he again downplayed his government’s concerns over Jakarta’s ties with Moscow.

In Jakarta for the first overseas trip of his second term, the Prime Minister told Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto he would back the country’s application to join the 12-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as the so-called “club of rich ­nations”, the OECD.

The move comes as Australia chairs the CPTPP grouping this year, and follows Mr Albanese’s refusal to explicitly back China’s entry into the trading bloc, which requires unanimous agreement of members to admit new parties.

The Prime Minister also vowed to take Australia and Indonesia’s Defence Co-operation Agreement to a new level, opening the way for more joint exercises, and training of Indonesian personnel in ­Australia.

As Donald Trump’s tariffs cause global economic upheaval, Mr Albanese said free and fair trade was vital to ensure peace and prosperity.

“And I assure you, Mr President, of Australia’s support for your joining the OECD as well as your ascension to the CPTPP,” he said. “For Australia, the deepening of our trade with Indonesia and strengthening of investment in Indonesia is natural and vital but not inevitable. To convert extraordinary potential into concrete progress, all of us – government, business and civil society – need to demonstrate great engagement and ambition.”

Mr Prabowo expressed his “appreciation and gratitude” for Australia’s support to join the groupings. He said Indonesia was also keen to expand trade between the countries, and urged greater Australian investment in Indo­nesia’s economy, which he has committed to grow by 8 per cent recent a year but which is running at just under 5 per cent.

“This co-operation is important to reinforce, especially amid current uncertainties in the global economy,” Mr Prabowo said.

Mr Albanese was treated to a full ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, with canon fire, brass bands, a massive military guard and hundreds of schoolchildren waving Australian and Indonesian flags.

The visit came amid ongoing Australian concerns over Indo­nesia’s ties with Russia, which were underscored during the election campaign when it was revealed Moscow asked Jakarta in February to operate military aircraft from one of its air bases 1300km from Darwin.

Indonesia rejected the request, but Jakarta has previously allowed Russian military aircraft to use its Biak Island base in Papua Province, and is working on a new deal with Russia to establish a satellite launch facility at the same site.

Mr Albanese refused point blank ahead of his talks with Mr Prabowo to say whether he would raise the Russia issue. “(It’s) not for me to comment on what occurred between countries that are not Australian,” he said.

“Russia, of course, will try to increase its influence. We make very clear our position when it comes to Russia around the world, be it the brutal invasion of Ukraine, its interference in cyber security issues, its tolerance of criminal organisations that have been involved in that, are anathema to our values.”

Mr Albanese and Mr Prabowo ride a golf cart. Picture: AP

The leaders said their defence agreement had already boosted joint military training, and maritime and aviation co-operation, but Mr Albanese said the agreement wasn’t the final step. “I want us to aim higher, go further, work even more closely together – and I see President Prabowo as a leader with the vision and determination to make that happen,” he said.

Mr Prabowo said Australia and Indonesia were neighbours and “I am determined to maintain the best possible relationship with our neighbour”.

The leaders had multiple meetings, including a one-on-one and formal bilateral talks. They lauded the “deep trust and unbreakable bond” between their countries, and pledged to work even more closely together.

They discussed opportunities to boost Indonesia’s food security, with Mr Prabowo urging Australia to invest in his country’s agricultural and fisheries industries. The two also pledged close co-operation on clean energy, critical minerals and electric vehicle manufacturing.

Tony Burke and Penny Wong meet the President. Picture: AP

Both leaders talked up their close personal relationship, with Mr Prabowo inviting his Australian counterpart to return “for a vacation … I’ll take you on a personal tour. If possible I’m inviting you to come to spend the night at my ranch in Hambalang, I’ll take you to ride horses.”

Knowing of his love of horses, Mr Albanese presented him with an Australian-made ­bridle, as well as Jan Lingard’s book, Refugees and Rebels – Indonesian Exiles in Wartime Australia.

A honour guard in traditional dress. Picture: AP

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, said the relationship was vital ­“because Indonesia is the largest country in ASEAN, the country whose leadership ASEAN looks to”.

“And at a time of global uncertainty, what I would say is that we, the Albanese government, recognise that our security and stability comes from our region and our relationships,” she said.

Mr Albanese will fly from Jakarta to Rome on Friday for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass on Sunday, before returning to Australia via Singapore on Tuesday for talks with that country’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong.