Transcript - Minister for Defence - Press conference with Indonesian Defence Minister, Canberra

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Senator the Hon Marise Payne

Minister for Defence

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  • Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office) 0429 531 143
  • Defence Media (02) 6127 1999

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16 March 2017

MARISE PAYNE 

[Inaudible]. I am grateful to welcome to the beautiful Heritage Centre here at [indistinct], and it is my absolute pleasure today to have had the opportunity to welcome and meet with my friend and colleague, Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard and his delegation here in Sydney for our annual Indonesia-Australia Defence Ministers' Meeting. Indonesia and Australia have a long-standing and productive bilateral defence relationship that supports our mutual interests in security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Regular and routine engagement activities, open channels of communication, and strong people-to-people links will help to build a resilient relationship, and in fact they're a hallmark of our bilateral defence engagement.

I am very pleased that the temporary suspension of defence cooperation have been resolved, and as you know, that we were able to work together to resolve this issue. It demonstrates that strength and resilience of our friendship, and that of our leaders. Of course, our geographic proximity means that our interests will always be intertwined. Today, Minister Ryamizard and I discussed regional security dynamics, including the importance of regional architecture and security frameworks to building regional trust, transparency, and cooperation. I'm very pleased that with our achievements together in ASEAN, and in particular that we are co-chairing the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus expert working group on peacekeeping operations from 2017 to 2020. This is a very valuable opportunity to strengthen regional peacekeeping efforts, to build upon our bilateral peacekeeping and cooperation, and to gain the benefit of Indonesia's vast experience in that regard.

The Minister and I also discussed our shared strategic interest in a secure and stable South Pacific, and I want to commend Indonesia's proactive and constructive engagement there. Regional architecture in the South Pacific, particularly the Pacific Islands Forum, provides an important channel for the discussion of issues of common concern, including disaster response and preparedness. It's worth noting that both Australia and Indonesia deployed to what we called Operation Fiji Assist after Tropical Cyclone Winston there last year.

We support the future co-deployment of Australian and Indonesian personnel in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. We also discussed our continued commitment to exercises in the HADR area - bilateral exercises, that is - and noticed the inaugural bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise Nusa Bhakti Ausindo, which was conducted in August last year, and we will move on from that to more engagement in future bilateral exercises which will be very valuable.

Today I took the opportunity to invite Minister Ryamizard again to visit Darwin this year, which will of course enable him also to view the implementation of the US Force Posture Initiatives there. It's a very important engagement between Australia and Indonesia in doing that, and I want to thank him for indicating that he would be able to accept that invitation, and we'll just do some diary planning to bring that together.

Today we also continue to discuss opportunities to strengthen our engagement in defence industry cooperation. There's great potential to build depth in our bilateral relationship with that, and also contribute to the development of our respective defence industries. We talked about opportunities for expanding science and technology engagement. We have a long term defence science and technology partnership between Australia and Indonesia, and I really want to power that up, if you like. I think there's enormous cooperation. Our chief defence scientist and his counterpart in Indonesia have met previously in Indonesia, and I look forward to welcoming her to Australia when a visit can be arranged in due course.

Finally, we endorsed and reinforced our support for the very recently signed Joint Declaration on Maritime Cooperation between our nations. That declaration was signed by Foreign Ministers Bishop and Masudi in February of this year, with the presence of both President Widodo and Prime Minister Turnbull as a strong reinforcement on the power of that declaration. As the declaration says, and as we have agreed today, we reinforced our commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security, and stability in the region, full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, and to the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Finally, I want to thank you, Minister Ryamizard and your delegation, for the constructive and open discussions we have shared today. I want to thank the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary of the Defence Department for their support and participation in our dialogue. Dialogues such as this help to share perspectives on important strategic issues and to really get down to the nitty gritty of defence-to-defence issues and coordination of our practical cooperation. I absolutely reinforce my commitment to building our relationship going forward. It's always a great pleasure to meet with Minister Ryamizard, and I look forward to those several opportunities we will have later this year. Minister?

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:          

[Indistinct], Minister Marise Payne, and Australian [inaudible]. [Indistinct] extend my sincere gratitude for opening this important and productive event, and I also would like to convey the message to the journalists. You are, as the mediator, to unite and to establish and to support the progression of friendship between Indonesia and Australia, and I also would like you to report in a more productive and effective manner. And in this [indistinct], our discussion is very productive and helpful for today, and the discussion with the Defence Minister. It just has to be implemented in a more tangible and concrete manner, not only like for the rhetorical purposes, but it has to be more productive to develop or to establish, to increase and to strengthen our given nations.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

I will also convey the whole principle of our nation, that I have the maxim that I keep saying to my counterpart that we can choose our friends, and it is not easy to find friends, but to become neighbours is a destiny. So based on this destiny, we strengthen our friendship and cooperation based on mutual trust and mutual respect. It is very important in the progression of our friendship.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:     

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

We have a true friendship and [indistinct] friendship [inaudible] and we can find more commonalities and resolve any differences. So most of the conflicts in any area, it is because of the lack of trust and confidence. It's very important to build the trust and to build confidence [inaudible].

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

With the condition of true friendship, we can analyse and increase our commonalities and similarities, and we can decrease our differences properly.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

The bottom line is that this is why [indistinct] have to confirm this visit, because every commitment that we already agreed upon has to be realised in a more complete and technical manner, not only [indistinct].

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

I would like to associate myself with a few [indistinct]. Minister Payne said something that is the same view as mine, I don't want to add more. But I would like to appreciate this meeting and really would like to extend my gratitude, and this is a very productive and fruitful meeting, and I bring also with me the Indonesian delegation, the chief of staff Indonesia, as well as the [indistinct]. As well, we have a collaborative and productive discussion with the Australian delegation, ranging from the Chief of Defence Force of Australia and the Secretary of DOD as well as the- all the Australian delegation.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:     

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

Prior to this meeting, we had the [indistinct] we had like a dinner last night, and to assure the success of this meeting this morning.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

The discussion with the Defence Minister discussed some troubling issues, ranging from the cooperation on the field of defence industry, the [indistinct], as well as to discuss or to renew the [indistinct] the DCA between this two country, as well as to the maritime [indistinct] cooperation.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

I would like to commend and appreciate and extend my gratitude with the commitment of Australian Defence Minister to resolve the current incidents that led to the [indistinct] properly, and I would like to extend our appreciation also to the Minister of Defence as well as to the Commander in Chief of Australian Defence Forces, also the Chief of Australian Army to resolve these differences and the dispute properly.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

[indistinct] I think I also reiterate some issue ranging from the position of Indonesia as the maritime [indistinct] as well as our participation to host the IVA meeting, and as well as to make it to the role of acquisition agency and [indistinct] procurement policy.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

As well as to the, I raise also the issue of security and as well [indistinct] Indonesian waters, and as well as the [indistinct] cooperation. We would like to increase this cooperation, and I also propose to step up the level of cooperation in the field of cyber.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:  

Related to discussion on the Pacific, Southern Pacific island countries, I always raise the progress of cooperation, [indistinct] cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji, and I also propose and request the Australian Government to support the Indonesian sovereignty and [indistinct] security, and to convey this message to some Pacific islands countries.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

Indonesia reiterated its commitment to support and to respect the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the countries in the Pacific islands. Likewise, Indonesia also seeks the support of our sovereignty and our national integrity in our country.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

And related to be ADMM-plus, on the expert working group on the peacekeeping operation, I would like to reiterate or to reaffirm our commitment to support Indonesia and Australia [indistinct] in the expert working group on the peacekeeping operation in the ADMM-Plus.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                     

 I also respond relative to the issue of the deployment of the US Marines in the northern east part of Australia, in Darwin. I said to my counterpart our Indonesian commitment, and we would like to support the productive presence of US Marines in the northern part of Australia to support or to promote stability, peace, in our region.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

We don't ask [indistinct]. We don't consider this presence of deployment as a threat.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

Indonesia also would like to support and assist Papua New Guinea as the host for the event of APEC by 2018.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

That's all, thank you so much.

MARISE PAYNE:       

Thank you very much Minister, and thank you ladies and gentlemen. Are there any questions?

QUESTION:                           

Brad Norington from The Australian newspaper. A question for Minister Payne. As part of your defence joint efforts, is the Australian Government prepared to cooperate and follow Indonesia with patrols of the South China Sea?

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Well we always make decisions based on an assessment of merits of any endeavour and based on our own best interests. We haven't discussed the specifics of that nature today; what we did discuss, as I said, was the Joint Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, which is a very comprehensive undertaking between our two nations. It includes a reinforcement of our commitment to freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight obviously as well. We already have regular coordinated patrols in the region. We are keen to look at increasing that activity, and that's a navy-to-navy engagement which will be underway. We are in the process of working on the implementation of that Joint Declaration of Maritime Cooperation. They are the aspects of the relationship which we've discussed and reinforced today.

It's nice to see you, Brad. It's been a long time. We go back to the parliamentary press gallery in New South Wales.

QUESTION:   

Thank you. [Indistinct] from Kompas - an Indonesian newspaper. To the Minister of Australia, [indistinct] relationship between Indonesia and Australia are really putting an impact in the peacekeeping action in the territory? And secondly, what's the importance of this bilateral meeting between the Minister of Australia, connected with South China Sea issues and the issue of counter-terrorism? Thank you.

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Thank you very much. I'm not sure that I understood the first question, but I think it was about peacekeeping cooperation. Thank you. One thing which we have been able to reinforce today is that we both have extensive histories in peacekeeping engagement internationally and in the region. Indonesia has a strong commitment to increasing their numbers of personnel engaged in peacekeeping on the international front, which is absolutely commendable, I must say. Our co-chairmanship of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus expert working group in peacekeeping cooperation enables us to take both of our experiences, both of our expertise, to that engagement both in the ASEAN region and more broadly. So, for example, in London last year the UN Peacekeeping Conference was held, in which we both participated, both nations participated, and I attended. We were able to strongly prosecute the case for the UN's mandate on Women, Peace and Security. We continue to do that together. In fact, in December of last year Australia welcomed seven female members of TNI to a Women, Peace and Security Conference in Canberra as part of that engagement, that mutual cooperation.

So I think we have much to build on and enormous opportunities ahead of us. In our modern militaries, this will, unfortunately, continue to be part of the job that we do, that we have to do. The Minister himself has an extraordinary personal record in this context, so in Cambodia in particular. He made some good Australian friends in that engagement, not the least of which is a man well-known to all of us, General John Sanderson. So I have great regard for the Minister's perspective on these issues and always enjoy the opportunity to discuss them with him.

In terms of the importance of this bilateral meeting, I think we have had a particularly productive discussion today. We also had the opportunity to canvas some of the key counter-terrorism issues that we face in the region. Both Indonesia and Australia, unfortunately, have felt the impact of broader Daesh activity and its affiliates. We take our challenges and our responsibilities very seriously in that regard, and we will continue to discuss that as [indistinct] neighbours, because as actions progress in Iraq and in Syria the movement of foreign terrorist fighters potentially back to their original territory in our region is something which we cannot ignore, and something which we are passionately committed to addressing and preventing them taking a foothold here in our region as best as we possibly can.

Any other questions?

QUESTION:                           

[Indistinct] from ABC News. How are Australia and Indonesia working to combat Islamic State in our region, and are you confident there won't be another breakdown in relations?

MARISE PAYNE:       

I actually think the Minister described it very well in his opening remarks. We have a very strong relationship of friends. When there are issues, we seek to engage, to negotiate and to work them out. I think the recent issues which we addressed in early January are a good example of how good friends are able to do that in a mature and sensible and appropriate way, both government-to-government and military-to-military. So I think that's a good indication. Whether I can rule that out forever, my crystal ball is perhaps a little hazy - like the harbour this afternoon. You can't ask anyone to predict that far into the future. But I would say we start from a particularly solid base of friendship and our mutual interests in security and stability.

And your first question?

QUESTION:                           

How do …

MARISE PAYNE:       

[Interrupts] Counter-Daesh- yes, thank you. Counter-Daesh efforts. Well we have a very strong and comprehensive framework between our nations, not just defence-to-defence, but the Minister for Justice and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter Terrorism, Michael Keenan and his counterpart, the Attorney-General and his counterpart, the Foreign Minister and her counterpart. We are working very, very closely on our shared responsibilities in the region. We recognise that we have, as I said, we have both had incidences related to terrorist activity that can be attributed back to Daesh and to activities in the Middle East. That is most regrettable, and the work that we do together is aimed at ensuring that that doesn't happen. But it's fair to say - and I'm not the first to say it and I won't be the last - that we have to be lucky all the time - governments, law enforcement agencies, militaries - in the work that we do to counter and combat terrorism; our opponents only need to be lucky once to have an extraordinary impact on our lives and our lifestyle. So in terms of that discussion, the Minister and I have some plans that we intend to pursue further in relation to our regional responsibilities, but it is something that both of our defence organisations are very seriously seized on.

I don't know whether Minister Ryamizard wants to add anything?

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

Actually, the bottom line is that everything has to start from the [indistinct] and goodwill. Like [indistinct] we always start everything [indistinct] communication based on this [indistinct] and goodwill. So with [indistinct] and goodwill [indistinct] and commonalities to resolve any issues. As well as with the development of the radicalism or the Daesh group in this area, so the operation between these two countries is very important based on this [indistinct]. So I would like to reiterate that we cannot let or we cannot condone any development of this radical group, this Islamic group in our region, so cooperation between these two countries is very important to anticipate this development of this group in our region, as well as the returning foreign fighters.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:          

[Indistinct] and the development of joint operation of the special forces is also very important, like the small unit is more effective to combat terrorism. As for the role of the people, it is also very important to ensure they have an awareness of the dangers of this radicalism in our region. So the engagement between people-to-people is very important to avert from the spectre of this radical group in our region.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

I also would like to reaffirm my support for the peacekeeping operation because this peacekeeping operation is very important. It will not let people to suffer from any conflicts in the area. So I would like to support any kind of peacekeeping, engage with discussion to protect our people.

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Last question.

QUESTION:                           

Last question is [indistinct]. I will be speaking in Indonesian.

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Need a bit more volume, I think. It's hard to hear you.

QUESTION:                           

[Speaks Indonesian].

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Sonny(*), perhaps you could translate that for us?

INTERPRETER:                      

It is related to our joint operation to address the issue in the South China Sea [indistinct].

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Thank you.

RYAMIZARD RYACUDU:      

[Speaks Indonesian].

INTERPRETER:                      

I think we have to exercise caution to handle the issue of the South China Sea. So far in this matter we haven't come up to the cooperation, or the mechanism of cooperation or joint operation, to resolve the issue of the South China Sea. I acknowledge the importance of resolving the issue and [indistinct] also consider the importance of the South China Sea as the lucrative sea link of communication. As maybe you were aware, that almost 50 per cent of oil transport will pass through this sea link, not to mention the sea link as the wood(*) trade transportation. So I guess I would like also to ask every claimant in this area to exercise restraint and not to be provoked through the American(*) overflight, military action in this area. So basically, the condition of my policy, especially engaging with other countries, to find commonalities in [indistinct].

MARISE PAYNE:                   

Thank you very much. Let me certainly reinforce the position of the Australian Government in relation to our great caution in ensuring that, in all of our actions, we're avoiding any escalation of tensions in the South China Sea.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for joining us today. The weather has seriously come in since we started this press conference, but again, Minister Ryamizard, and to you and [indistinct], please enjoy the rest of your visit here in Australia, and it's been an absolute pleasure to welcome you and I look forward to meeting you again very soon. Thanks ladies and gentlemen.

[Applause]

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