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Indonesian officials are seeking to reschedule President Joko Widodo’s first state visit to Australia to later this month, after he was forced to postpone his trip at the weekend amid a domestic political and security crisis.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo will make his first official visit to Australia tomorrow, seeking closer economic and maritime co-operation and the conclusion of the first free-trade agreement of his presidency.
It is a trip that marks a high point in one of Australia’s most critical bilateral relationships.
Indonesia's Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has urged Australia to rebuke Pacific states, in particular Solomon Islands, for raising Papua in global fora.
Indonesia has asked Australia to caution its Pacific Island neighbours against interfering in the West Papua issue and to urge them to withdraw support for West Papuan membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, warning that the issue could pose a “stumbling block” to closer bilateral ties.
