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Australia, Indonesia to host dialogues to improve bilateral ties
Ministers from Australia and Indonesia may soon engage in “two-plus-two” dialogues as the two countries deepen their ties, says an Australian envoy ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two neighbors.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo speaks to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore, on Nov. 14, 2018. (Courtesy of/Presidential Office)
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everal dialogues between leaders of Australia and Indonesia are likely to take place soon as the two countries deepen their ties, says an Australian envoy ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two neighbors in December.
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan hinted on Wednesday that an annual meeting between the countries’ foreign ministers and defense ministers might take place at “some time” in the next few months.
Known as the two-plus-two dialogue, it will follow the latest meetings of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the sidelines of Jokowi’s second inauguration in Jakarta last month and the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok earlier this month.
Quinlan said he had yet to figure out when exactly the ministers’ meeting would be held.
“We have to settle the date [first]. Trying to get the foreign minister and defense minister of a country together for a dialogue is always a bit of a challenge for the diplomats […] let alone getting the four of them to meet,” Quinlan said after the launch of Australia’s new cultural campaign, Australia Connect, in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.
Quinlan also revealed the possibility of another meeting between Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on the sidelines of the upcoming Bali Democracy Forum, slated for early next month.
“Our foreign minister is hoping to come to the forum […] she will be coming and spending time with Minister Retno,” he said without elaborating further on what issues would be brought up by the two ministers.
