Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott expressed amazement over the enthusiasm displayed by the Indonesian public in welcoming the new government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo
ustralia Prime Minister Tony Abbott expressed amazement over the enthusiasm displayed by the Indonesian public in welcoming the new government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
'It is an absolute honor for me to be here. I feel that there is an increasing amount of enthusiasm in welcoming the new government throughout the entire country,' Abbott said in Jakarta on Monday after the presidential inauguration ceremony, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Abbott added that under Jokowi's leadership, Indonesia will enter a new era. He also voiced optimism regarding Indonesia's future relationship as an international ally of Australia.
Australian-Indonesian relations suffered a significant blow over allegations of spying near the end of 2013, when Australia allegedly wiretapped phone calls made by several high-ranking Indonesian figures, including former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The incident resulted in Indonesia temporarily recalling its ambassador from Canberra.
Other world leaders present for the inauguration included Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Ogjio and Russian Trade Minister Denis Menturov. (dyl/nfo)(++++)
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