Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese praised Prabowo’s vision for strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, highlighting its significance as Australia’s key partner across various areas, including economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically recognized Prabowo’s efforts in national development, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a reflection of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing parallels between this initiative 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 following his re-election as Prime Minister and reinforced the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese humorously mentioned Prabowo’s passion for horseback riding, showcasing a friendly rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, especially in education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.
