Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen their defense and security relationship.



Albanese is on the first state visit of his second term, just one day after his inauguration following his Labor Party's landslide general election victory. Australian prime ministers traditionally prioritize visits to Indonesia after they take office.



Albanese emphasized the strategic importance of the neighboring country.



Prabowo, a former general, is keen to bolster his country's military capabilities. He signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Australia last year when he was Defense Minister and President-elect.



He said Indonesia will continue to discuss possibilities to improve and strengthen defense sector cooperation.



Albanese emphasized that last year's agreement represents the most significant step in the two countries' security partnership in three decades, and he aims to build upon it.



He said, "I do not see this agreement as the last step, just the next step. I want us to aim higher, go further and work even more closely together."



Indonesia has maintained its overall policy of non-alignment even as it reaffirmed its defense cooperation with Australia.



Indonesia conducted its first-ever joint naval drills with Russia last year.
An intelligence report last month said Russia was seeking to base long range warplanes on the eastern Indonesian province of Papua. The report sparked concern in Australia.



The Indonesian Defense Ministry has denied the report.