Australia and Indonesia announce that they will sign a new security treaty.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Prime Minister Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo announced in Sydney on the 12th that the two countries have agreed to sign a new bilateral security treaty, aiming to deepen their defense cooperation. Albanese said, "This marks a new era in the relationship between the two countries."
The new treaty is based on the bilateral defense agreement signed by Australia and Indonesia in 1995 and was reached through consultations in strict secrecy. The treaty stipulates that if either country or its common security interests are challenged, the two countries will initiate a consultation mechanism and consider taking individual or joint military response measures. The treaty also clearly states that the two countries will regularly hold consultations at the leadership and ministerial levels on security issues and "determine and carry out mutually beneficial and win-win security cooperation projects." Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian stated in a statement that the treaty is expected to be officially signed next year.
It was reported that Albanese on the 12th said that the relationship between the two countries is based on friendship, trust, mutual respect, and a common commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability. The new treaty "reflects the consensus of the two countries, that is, the best way to ensure peace and stability is to work together and cooperate."