If, as expected, Jokowi does address a joint sitting of parliament, it will be the first time he has done so and the first from an Indonesian president since Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in March, 2010.
The looming visit will put new pressure on the Indonesian parliament to ratify the long awaited free trade deal between the two countries. The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement received the legislative green light in Canberra last year but last minute objections from some members of Indonesia’s lower house delayed approval in Jakarta.
It’s understood Jokowi’s government has addressed concerns IA-CEPA will increase Indonesia’s trade deficit with Australia and the ratification is now a procedural matter.
