Cooperation is the Key Issue

The liberalization of Indonesian-Australian trade is the basis for the two countries to welcome a century of bilateral relations. The signing of the IA-CEPA is one of the ways to achieve that goal.

KOMPAS/LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA

President Joko Widodo (left) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison deliver a joint announcement on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) on Monday (10/02/2020) at the Parliament of Australia in Canberra. The IA-CEPA will take effect at the end of April.

CANBERRA, KOMPAS – Although Indonesia and Australia have different cultural backgrounds, the two countries uphold the same values, namely pluralism, ethnic diversity, tolerance, democracy, respect for human rights and protection of the environment. Such attitudes are believed to form a strong foundation of values for the two countries to form a friendship in the present and the future.

The similarity of perspectives on values was highlighted by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo\'s state visit to Canberra on Feb. 9 and 10. The visit coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia. During this trip, the President attended at least 10 events.