Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace. Albanese praised Prabowo’s leadership qualities and dedication to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, emphasizing its significance as Australia’s key partner in economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Specifically, Albanese applauded Prabowo’s efforts in national development, notably the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to social welfare and human capital development. The Prime Minister praised Indonesia’s potential growth through free trade and stability, drawing parallels with the impactful initiatives led by Prabowo.
This visit marked Albanese’s first international trip following his re-election as Prime Minister, underscoring the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a lighthearted moment, Albanese jokingly mentioned Prabowo’s passion for horseback riding, showcasing a friendly rapport between the two leaders. The meeting reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, with a focus on education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.
