Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles MP emphasized that his country does not support the separatist movement in West Papua Indonesia which undermines Indonesia’s sovereignty.

He conveyed this after meeting with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the Ministry of Defense Office, Jakarta (23/2/2024).

“We, Australia, fully recognize Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty. Period. And there is no support for any independence movement,” said Marles when asked about Australia’s stance regarding the separatist movement in West Papua.

Marles reiterated that Australia supports Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty, including the provinces that are part of the Republic of Indonesia.

“I want to make that clear,” he said.

Apart from that, Marles said Australia was interested in collaborating with Indonesia in the defense sector.

The aim is for Indonesia and Australia to build defense forces so they can play a role in maintaining collective security in the region.

“We have a shared collective security and that is the foundation for us to move forward in our own defense planning, and we work very closely,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said there would be new cooperation in the defense sector between Indonesia and Australia.

He has not specified what kind of cooperation he means. Prabowo only said that the cooperation would be signed in the near future.

“And we are planning for a short time to sign a defense cooperation agreement with Australia which we most likely hope will be completed and signed in two or three months,” said Prabowo.