Relations with Indonesia getting stronger, says Abbott as ambassador returns
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Version 0 of 1. Australia won’t let the execution of two of its citizens permanently damage relations with Indonesia, Tony Abbott has said. Australia’s ambassador, Paul Grigson, has returned to his post in Jakarta, five weeks after being pulled out in protest over the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. “We took what was a pretty unprecedented step, but he’s been out of there for about 40 days and I think now is an appropriate time for him to go back,” Abbott said of the ambassador on Wednesday. Australia’s relations with Indonesia were strong and getting stronger, he said. “We thought that those executions were unnecessary and counterproductive, but we also made it crystal clear at the time that we weren’t going to let this permanently damage what is a very good friendship and a very important relationship.” It is unclear whether ministerial visits have been restored, following their suspension over the executions of the drug smugglers. The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, said the ambassador would get on with the job of providing consular assistance, as well as working on counter-terrorism, transnational crime, tackling people-smuggling and boosting trade and investment. Bishop said ministerial-level meetings had not yet resumed. “We are considering that option now,” she told the ABC in Geelong on Wednesday. “It’s under review, but at this stage we felt it was time for our ambassador to resume his duties in Indonesia.” |