As quoted by the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat's official statement, four points were discussed at the meeting. First, the president welcomed the two countries' cooperation development, including the signing of memoranda of understanding in several fields. Examples are electric vehicle collaboration, cooperation between Nusantara Capital City Authority with Australia's National Capital Authority, and the State Bank of Indonesia - BNI branch opening in Sydney.
Second, President Joko Widodo highlighted the importance of expanding market access to create more balanced trade. The president also welcomes permits to import beef and cattle from Australia.
Third, the president is excited about Indonesia's popularity as the destination for Australian students in the New Colombo Plan scheme. He invites more young Australians to visit and study in Indonesia, especially about Indonesian culture and language.
Finally, President Joko Widodo thanked Australia for its support during Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN last year. He hoped that cooperation, as well as infrastructure and energy projects execution, would continue. The president also welcomed the launch of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
As President Joko Widodo said, diplomatic relations between the two countries have a long history, spanning 75 years. Indonesia and Australia have felt the relations' ups and downs.
As a supporter of Indonesian independence, Australia was the first to send its diplomatic mission to Indonesia. However, the two nations have also experienced downturns in relations, such as during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation in the 1960s and the separation of East Timor from Indonesia in 1999.
History proves that relations between these closest neighboring countries always find ways to restore and enhance their good relations. Australia is the largest country in the Pacific, as well as Indonesia in Southeast Asia, therefore good relations between the two are critical to regional stability. In other words, Australia and Indonesia are responsible for regional stability.