Australia and Indonesia said on Sunday that full military ties between the two countries had been restored, after Indonesia’s military suspended cooperation in January because of "insulting" teaching material found at an Australian base.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made the announcement alongside Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who arrived in Australia on Saturday for his first visit as president.
“President Widodo and I have agreed to full restoration of defense cooperation, training exchanges and activities,” Turnbull said at a news conference in Sydney.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (L) speaks across the table from Indonesian President Joko Widodo (2nd R) at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia on February 26, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Widodo’s visit to Australia comes less than two months after military ties were suspended, an event that sparked a minor diplomatic spat and led to an apology from Australia’s army chief in February. Military cooperation between the two countries has ranged from joint training and counterterrorism cooperation to border protection.
While the primary focus of the visit was on security and economic issues, including the finalization of a bilateral free trade deal by the end of the year, talks touched on tourism, cyber security and social links.
Widodo met Australian business leaders on Saturday, telling them that investor confidence in Indonesia was strong and reassuring them that Indonesia was a stable country in which to do business.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (centre R) shakes hands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo before their meeting at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia, February 26, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Following one-on-one talks, Turnbull said tariffs would be cut for Australian sugar and Indonesian pesticides and herbicides. He also praised changes to the export rules for live Australian cattle.
Collaboration on counterterrorism, especially the return of foreign fighters from the Syrian and Iraqi conflict zones, would continue, Turnbull said.
(With inputs from Reuters)