Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles MP, has emphasized that his country rejects and does not support the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Papua, which undermines Indonesia’s sovereignty.
He made this statement after meeting with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the Ministry of Defense office in Jakarta on Friday, February 23, 2024. He reiterated that Australia fully recognizes the sovereignty of Indonesia’s territory.
“We, Australia, fully recognize the sovereignty of Indonesia’s territory. Period. And there is no support for any independence movement,” Marles said when asked about Australia’s stance on separatist movements in Papua.
He again emphasized that Australia supports Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty, including provinces that are part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
In addition, Marles stated that Australia is interested in cooperating with Indonesia in the defense sector. The aim is for Indonesia and Australia to build defense capabilities that can play a role in maintaining collective security in the region.
“We have a shared collective security, and that is the basis for us to move forward in our defense planning, and we work very closely,” he said.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto mentioned that there would be a new defense cooperation between Indonesia and Australia.
Prabowo did not provide details about the collaboration, but only mentioned that the cooperation would be signed shortly.
“And we plan for a short time to sign a defense cooperation agreement with Australia, which we hope can be completed and signed in two or three months,” said Prabowo.
In addition, the two ministers also discussed defense cooperation agreements that will be signed in the next 2-3 months.
