Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently praised Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, as a concrete example of the country’s national development efforts to improve the well-being of its citizens. During a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese highlighted the importance of this initiative in Indonesia’s broader transformation agenda. He commended the hard work and aspirations of the Indonesian people, recognizing programs like the free nutritious meals initiative as essential for enhancing the quality of life.
Furthermore, Albanese also recognized Indonesia’s significant role in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing its increasing influence in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability. He stressed the strategic significance of Indonesia’s rapid progress not only for the region but also for Australia’s bilateral relations with the country. Discussions between the leaders revolved around enhancing strategic cooperation between Australia and Indonesia, focusing on defense, trade, investment, and Indonesia’s aspirations to join the OECD and the CPTPP.
The Australian Prime Minister emphasized that the partnership between the two countries is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a vision for inclusive regional development. Highlighting the longstanding historical ties between Australia and Indonesia dating back to Indonesia’s struggle for independence, Albanese stressed the importance of collaboration between Australians and Indonesians. He emphasized the necessity of working together to strengthen stability, prosperity, and security in the region that both countries deeply value.
