Australian PM in Indonesia for talks on investment, climate change

JAKARTA, June 6 (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Indonesia on Monday to meet its President Joko Widodo and shore-up relations between the two neighbours, in his first bilateral visit since being elected last month.

Prior to Monday’s official talks, which were expected to span trade, investment, climate and regional security, the two leaders rode bamboo bicycles around the state palace in Bogor.

In welcoming remarks president Jokowi, as the Indonesian leader is commonly known, emphasised the importance of the two nations strengthening their bilateral commitments amid current global challenges in “a dynamic and challenging world”.

The trip comes as Australia’s new Labor government, which ended almost a decade of conservative rule in a May 21 election, puts greater focus on relations with Southeast Asia and climate change, an issue crucial to its Pacific neighbours, as it navigates ties with a more assertive China.

“I look forward to productive discussions about our shared priorities on climate and energy, investment, and regional security,” Albanese said on Twitter. 

The Australian delegation includes high-level business leaders, Trade Minister Don Farrell and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Wong, who previously said Indonesia did not get the attention it deserved under the former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, met with Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on Sunday.

Albanese was also scheduled to meet Lim Jock Hoi, the Jakarta-based secretary general of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), before heading to Makassar in eastern Indonesia. 

Albanese has expressed a desire to strengthen ties with ASEAN, at a time of geopolitical rivalry in the Indo-Pacific and on Sunday said the delegation with him underlined Indonesia’s importance to Australia. 

“We have serious business leaders from Australia here because they want to deepen the economic ties between Australia and Indonesia,” he told reporters. 

(Writing by Kate Lamb; Editing by Martin Petty)

Photo  Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C) disembarks the plane on arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, 05 June 2022 (issued 06 June 2022). Mr Albanese is in Indonesia on a two-day official visit. EPA-EFE/LUKAS COCH