The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms

The Hon Stephen Smith mp

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Visit to Indonesia

Media release

14 July 2010

I will visit Indonesia on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 July. This will be my sixth Ministerial visit to Indonesia, and my first as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The relationship between Australia and Indonesia is stronger than ever. Ours is a partnership between two open and robust democracies, described by both sides as a strategic asset during President Yudhoyono's visit to Australia in March this year.

Reflecting the strength of bilateral ties, there have been 70 ministerial visits in both directions since November 2007.

In Jakarta I will meet with Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Marty Natalegawa, and Indonesia's Minister for Trade, Dr Mari Pangestu, to discuss Australia and Indonesia's shared strategic, foreign policy, economic and trade interests.

Australia and Indonesia co-chair the Bali Process to further strengthen regional efforts to combat people smuggling, human trafficking and transnational crime.

In my meeting with Dr Natalegawa we will take the opportunity to discuss Australia's proposal for the development of a Regional Protection Framework to address the challenges of irregular migration and people smuggling.

In my meeting with Dr Pangestu I will discuss Australia and Indonesia's economic relationship and its potential. Australia and Indonesia have completed a feasibility study for an Australia-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement, paving the way for negotiation of such an agreement in the future.

I will also meet with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss opportunities to increase trade, investment and economic cooperation between Australia and Indonesia.

I will attend the official opening of the 2000th school built under the Australia-Indonesia Basic Education Program, two years after attending the opening of the 1000th school. This very successful program has helped Indonesia move closer to universal access to junior secondary education and improved education quality.

I will also open the Australia-Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction in Jakarta. The joint facility supports Indonesia's preparation and response to natural disasters.

Media inquiries