AUSTRALIAN PM UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONS WITH RI

Jakarta, June 7 (ANTRARA) - In a speech to the Asia Society in Sydney on June 4, 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlined his government's vision for an Asia Pacific Community, especially in relation with Indonesia, an Australian Embassy media release said here on Friday. It said Rudd also emphasized the Australian government's commitment to comprehensive engagement with Asia, particularly Indonesia, as the third pillar of his government's foreign policy. The speech was delivered ahead of Rudd's visit to Indonesia from 12 to 14 June which will be his second visit since becoming prime minister. In his speech Rudd emphasized the Australian government's commitment to strong and close cooperation relations with countries in Asia, particularly Indonesia as a key partner in the region, and outlined the importance of adding even more depth to this relationship. Rudd traveled to Indonesian island resort of Bali in December last year to attend the United Nations Framework of Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC). "Next week will be my second visit to Indonesia since becoming prime minister - my first having been to the Bali climate change meeting in December," Rudd said. "I am looking forward to sitting down again with President Yudhoyono and talking through the future of our relationship," he added. He said Australia's and Indonesia's histories had been inseparable since Indonesia gained independence in 1945. "Our relationship has now matured and we have a true partnership," Rudd said, adding that he had watched Indonesia's remarkable development in recent years. Rudd said when he visits Indonesia next week, he would be discussing with President Yudhoyono how they could lift the tempo of the task force's work. "I have some specific proposals to take to the President about how we can do more to bring together disaster relief experts from around the region, because when a crisis hits, our people need to have ready-made networks so we can respond in a timely fashion," he said. In doing so, he said they would need to build on important initiatives already advanced elsewhere in the region - most recently by Prime Minister Fukuda of Japan. "As we look to build a new regional architecture for 2020 and beyond, Indonesia will be one of our critical partners. For Australia, Indonesia is a partner in nearly every field of endeavor," he said.