Australia's new prime minister to visit Indonesia

The President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, when he receives newly elected Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday, November 12.

"PM Turnbull's visit is very important because since he was elected, this is the first overseas visit of the Australian Prime Minister," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Arrmanatha Nasir, stated here on Thursday.

The main objective of PM Turnbull's visit is to strengthen the foundation of Indonesia-Australia relations, discuss economic cooperation and people-to-people contact.

"Both countries can see that a good relationship will lead to cooperation, economic and people interactions," she noted.

To strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, both governments have committed to having an Australian minister visit Indonesia every month.

"The Australian Minister of Trade and Investment is also expected to come soon," Nasir said.

She also mentioned that the present concern of the two countries is to step up communication at all levels.

Hence, the leaders will discuss the focus on creating a digital economy and creative products during their meeting.

"PM Turnbull is really interested in technology issues, it's because he had been a minister in the area. He has also been a businessman in the information technology sector," she added.

According to Nasir, this focus is in line with the Indonesian government's plan and that of President Widodo, who is targeting for Indonesia to become one of largest digital economies in Southeast Asia by 2020.

"The President has a road map to make Indonesia the biggest digital economy in Southeast Asia," she noted.

Previously, Widodo had also received Indian Vice President, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, at the Merdeka Palace on Monday to discuss various issues.

The meeting focused on cooperation in the maritime, education, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Both countries have also expressed a joint commitment to enhance South-South cooperation and increase participation in peacekeeping operations. 

Source: ANTARA