Jakarta, May 15 -- Indonesia and Australia are destined to be neighbors who help each other in difficult times, President Prabowo Subianto told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a meeting on Thursday.

"Therefore, I am determined to maintain the best relationship with our neighbors. And we are grateful that Australia views Indonesia as a close friend," Prabowo said in a joint press statement with Albanese at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, the same day.

He disclosed that PM Albanese was the first world leader to congratulate him after he was elected the 8th President of Indonesia last year.

Likewise, when Albanese won the Australian Parliamentary Election and was re-elected as the Prime Minister of Australia, Prabowo congra...