President Jokowi Welcomes PM Albanese's Visit to Bogor Palace

TheIndonesia.id -  President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received the visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Monday. As observed from the live broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel here, the prime minister arrived at the palace at 10 a.m. local time (UTC +7).

The official visit protocol, comprising a marching band, cavalry troops, and presidential guard troops in traditional Indonesian costumes, welcomed Albanese on arrival at the Bogor Palace. Jokowi welcomed the prime minister at the palace's front court.

The protocol was continued by playing both Australian and Indonesian national anthems, with a 19-gun salute, and a troop inspection before both leaders introduced government officials that accompanied them. The president invited Albanese to the palace's Lotus Room for a photo session and to sign the presidential guest book before proceeding for a casual conversation at the palace's veranda.

Jokowi is expected to invite the Australian prime minister to plant a tree together in the Bogor Palace's court before proceeding for face-to-face and bilateral meetings and presenting a joint press statement. A state lunch will conclude Albanese's visit to the Bogor Palace.

Albanese's visit to Indonesia is his first bilateral visit following his start of tenure as the 31st Australian prime minister on May 23. Following the visit to the Bogor Palace, the prime minister is expected to visit Makassar in South Sulawesi. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell accompanied Albanese during his visit to Indonesia.

Earlier, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Director of East Asia and Pacific Affairs Santo Darmosumarto remarked that by visiting Indonesia, Albanese is likely to continue his predecessors' tradition of undertaking an inaugural state visit at the start of their prime ministership.

"It is the tradition of every new Australian prime minister, after their start of tenure, to select Indonesia as their first state visit destination. PM Albanese is likely to continue this tradition," Darmosumarto stated in an online media briefing on Thursday (Jun 2).