Australia and Indonesia celebrate ties, but irritations remain
Updated
Australia's relationship with Indonesia is at an all time high. Both governments point to Indonesia's assistance in the aftermath of the Victorian bushfires, a record number of tourists, and a decision made on Thursday to pursue a free trade agreement. But there's a hangover from the time of the Bali bombings that continues to cause irritation.
Presenter: Karon Snowdon
Speakers: Stephen Smith, Australian foreign minister; Hassan Wirajuda, Indonesian foreign minister; Simon Crean, Australian trade minister; Dr Mari Pangestu, Indonesia trade minister
SNOWDON: The good feelings about the bilateral relationship were mutual as foreign ministers Stephen Smith and Hassan Wirajuda met in Sydney.
Mr. Smith thanked Indonesia for its condolences and financial and technical help for Victoria's bushfire victims and both acknowledged the importance of close ties.
SMITH: The bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia we believe is at an all time high.
WIRAJUDA: Indonesia-Australia's relations have never been as excellent as they are now, result of hard work of our two governments.
SNOWDON: Yet Mr Wirajuda made it clear in their joint press conference in Sydney his government thinks the time is right to end Australia's official warning against travel in Indonesia.
He said there had been no terrorist bombings in three years and with Australia's help security had been much improved.
WIRAJUDA: So I wish to see the Australian government review the policy of issuing travel advice to Indonesia not only on the progress we have made in Indonesia but on the recognition that some countries like the United States and Canada have done.
SNOWDON: Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs website warns travellers to exercise extreme caution when in Indonesia due to what it says remains the very high threat of terrorist attack.
Australia's foreign minister Stephen Smith says this is not about to change.
SMITH: The travel advisory that we have for Indonesia and we have for other countries we regularly review, and we do that on the basis of up to date expert advice, so far as threat and security assessments are concerned.
SNOWDON: It was the only public point of difference.
The ministers are joining other ministers and large delegations of Australian and Indonesian business people, academics, NGOs and media talking to each other over two days.
The conference and a series of bilateral ministerial meetings reinforce the commitment both governments have to expanding and deepening all aspects of the relationship.
In particular, after the finalisation of a feasibility study, a free trade agreement is to be pursued.
Australia's trade minister Simon Crean says given Indonesia's size and importance in ASEAN, the trade relationship with Australia is underdone.
There's no deadline for the negotiation of what he calls a new type of agreement
CREAN: An expanded version that incorporates investment facilitation, but also a recognition that if we're to create the environment in which Indonesia can maximise its potential, then we need to focus our aid program much more effectively into the capacity-building of that nation. So I'm delighted with the outcome of today's discussions.
SNOWDON: Indonesia's trade minister Mari Pangestu says there are clear benefits for Indonesia in a comprehensive agreement which goes further than tariffs and market access.
PANGESTU: Especially when you have partners who are at different levels of development. so the capacity-building is very important to ensure that there are clear benefits from the greater market access and greater investment opportunities that lead to a win-win outcome for both sides. And I'm glad to say that we are like minded on this fundamental framework.
SNOWDON: Both trade ministers agreed that despite the pressures from the global financial crisis they would avoid calls for added protectionism at home.
Both governments are working together to bring forward an international meeting by early April under the Bali process.
Devised in 2002 this deals with illegal migrants and people smuggling and Indonesia is keen to have the problem of the Rohinga refugees from Burma solved.
Thailand and Burma will be invited to attend the meeting.
Discussions will continue in Sydney on the global financial crisis and the agenda for the next G20 meeting in London, also in April.
