“We have a plan to increase aid to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. We have plans to treat our neighbors, who are sovereign nations, with respect.”
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However, while talking about his relationship with East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, who was re-elected in March, Albanese seemed to refer incorrectly to him as the nation’s prime minister.
“I have a good relationship with the new incoming Prime Minister in terms of José Ramos-Horta, therefore one of the leaders in Timor-Leste. At the moment, of course, like PNG, some electoral processes are taking place for other positions “, he said.
The new government has not wasted time trying to rebuild relations between Australia and its neighbors. After being sworn in as prime minister, Albanese traveled almost immediately to Tokyo for a meeting with the Quad countries, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong has already visited several Pacific island nations.
Wong, Commerce Minister Don Farrell and Industry Minister Ed Husic will join Albanese as he travels to Indonesia for the leadership meeting.
Albanese and Widodo are expected to talk about trade and investment agreements, their regional interests and cooperation on climate and energy issues.
The final point will be of special attention, as the government is trying to propose a $ 200 million fund for climate and infrastructure with Indonesia, as part of a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and Australia.
Albanese said several world leaders had welcomed Labor’s climate agenda and that Australia would no longer “be in the naughty corner” at international climate conferences.
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