Indonesia and Australia to hold annual talks

PHOTO

Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have agreed to more discussions between the two countries. [ABC]

Linda Mottram, Canberra

Last Updated: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:45:00 +1100

Australia and Indonesia have instituted new annual meetings which echo Australia's ties with it's most powerful ally, the United States.

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also announced a new people smuggling framework after formal talks in Canberra.

After their formal meeting, the leaders announced new annual meetings of leaders, as well as defence and foreign ministers, which Mr Rudd has likened to Australia's arrangements with it's major ally, the United States.

"We've agreed to upgrade our relationship to become one of a comprehesive strategic partnership," he said.

Other co-operative measures announced include a new framework on people smuggling though President Yudhoyono indicated some details were still unclear.

"We will always continue to discuss the technical aspects of how this co-operation is going to be pursued," he said.

And despite Indonesian protests, Australia has not eased it's travel warning about the threat of terrorism in Indonesia.

On Wednesday, the President addresses a joint sitting of the Australian Parliament. The address, at 2pm Canberra time, 10am in Jakarta, will be shown live on Australia Network and ABC1 and repeated on Radio Australia two hours later, for listeners in Asia.