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Australian gov't not to reciprocate Indonesia's waiving tourist visas for Australians

Xinhua, September 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Australian government is refusing to offer reciprocal arrangements for Indonesia citizens visa-fee free tourist visas following indications Indonesia will scrap fees for Australians in October.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has ruled out changing Australia's no-exemptions policy for tourists from any country, discussing the issue with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at a"warm and constructive"breakfast meeting in Sydney on Thursday. "(Marsudi) explained that Indonesia would love to provide Australia with visa exemptions, but unless they got reciprocity, they wouldn't be able to do so,"Bishop told reports after the breakfast. "Our policy is across the board -- there are no exemptions."

The Indonesian government announced the move to cut visa fees for Australia and 46 other countries on Wednesday, to take effect in October, as the country strives to attract more tourists following significant economic downturn.

Indonesian Institute President Ross Taylor said China was set to supplant Australia as the largest source of tourists visiting the Indonesia holiday island of Bali, however authorities are keen to entice Australians "back to their favorite playground."

Bishop insisted relations with Indonesia were now stronger after a diplomatic fall out between the two countries following the executions of two convicted Australian drug smugglers in Indonesia that resulted in Australia's ambassador to Indonesia being recalled. Endi