Australia and Indonesia will sign a new treaty to "ensure regional peace"
After meeting in Sydney on Wednesday, leaders of Australia and Indonesia announced that both sides have reached an agreement to sign a new security treaty.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that he and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have just conducted substantive negotiations on "a new version of bilateral treaty on mutual security."
According to AFP's report from Sydney on the 12th, Canberra is seeking to enhance its military capabilities to counter China's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region, and has strengthened cooperation with the United States.
Albanese told the media, "The best way to ensure [...] peace and stability is joint action."
The leader of the Oceania country expressed hope to visit Indonesia in 2026 and sign the new treaty.
According to Anthony Albanese, the treaty is based on the bilateral defense agreement signed in 2024, aiming to establish close cooperation between the two countries to address threats in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement also paves the way for joint military exercises and deployment of troops between the two countries.
Australian Prime Minister stated that the new treaty will require the two countries to "hold regular consultations at the level of leaders and ministers on security issues."
He added that if one party's "security is threatened," the treaty stipulates that the two countries can "negotiate and consider what measures to take" to "address these threats," whether or not they act together.
Indonesian President is striving to maintain a balance between important economic allies China and Washington, and praised the document on "close cooperation in defense and security fields."
President Prabowo Subianto added, "Good neighbors help each other in difficult times."
Source: rfi
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848610797598729/
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