Jakarta : Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Marrison reached an agreement on Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) at a meeting in Indonesia’s city of Bogor on Friday.

“At the meeting, I stated the Indonesian commitment to promoting bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia. Australia is an important partner for ASEAN,” Jokowi said after the meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace.

Jokowi and Morrison witnessed the signing of a joint declaration of IA-CEPA by Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukito and Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Simon Birmingham and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and Simon Birmingham.

“We welcome expansion of relations of comprehensive partnership into comprehensive strategic partnership,” President Jokowi said.

The two leaders also discussed and agreed on the importance of compliance with international law and respect for the sovereignty of each country.

“We also agree to cooperate and expand cooperation in security including in cybersecurity. We have a strong commitment to collaboration in handling global and regional issues including terrorism,” Jokowi said.

Indonesia is the first country visited by Morrison after he took over as new Australian prime minister on August 24, replacing Malcolm Turnbull.

—AB/UNA-OIC