A new security pact between Australia and Indonesia went into force on Thursday, marked by a ceremony attended by the foreign ministers of both countries.
The formalities for the 2006 security pact, known as Lombok Treaty, was finalized by Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda in Perth, the state capital of Western Australia.
The treaty was signed in November 2006 but needed to be ratified by both parliaments and came into effect after an exchange of notes between the two foreign ministers.
The Lombok Treaty replaces an earlier pact torn up by Indonesia eight years ago over Australian support for the independence of Timor-Leste.
Smith said bilateral relations with Indonesia had never been better and the Lombok treaty would further strengthen ties.
"Officers of Australia and Indonesia would now work towards the development of an action plan to be progressed under the treaty," the Australian Associated Press quoted him as saying.
The new agreement includes a key Indonesian demand that Australia will not support separatist causes in the sprawling archipelago.
But it also covers greater collaboration in areas such as defense, law enforcement, counter-terrorism, maritime security and emergency preparedness.
Source: Xinhua
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