Australian Prime Minister Kevin Ruddand Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on March 10 agreed toelevate their bilateral relationship to the level of a comprehensivestrategic partnership.

During the IndonesianPresident’s visit to Australia , the two countries also signed aframework agreement on cooperation in combating the trafficking ofhumans.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Canberra , Rudd said theagreement would beef up bilateral cooperation in coping with regionaland global challenges.

The two sides also agreed to tighten collaboration in a series offields such as economy, education, response to climate change andanti-terrorism, Rudd said.

The Australian PM spoke highly of Indonesia ’s efforts in the fightagainst terrorism, announcing that the two nations have decided toorganise defence minister and foreign minister-level annual meetings.

PM Rudd pledged to closely cooperate with Indonesia in extradition --an issue that both countries have grappled with for a long time andwhich requires suitable solutions.

President Yudhoyono said the Indonesia-Australia relationship is nowsolid and strong. The two countries have cooperated closely atbilateral, regional and international forums, especially on issuesregarding climate change and the global financial crisis.

The Indonesian president said the two sides agreed to expandcooperation in four major fields: security, anti-terrorism, militarycooperation and fight against trans-national crime, including humantrafficking./.