Indonesia said Saturday it would send its ambassador back to Australia this month in a bid to normalise relations after a spying row that has soured ties between the two countries.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) arriving at the international airport in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, on May 10, 2014
Indonesia recalled its ambassador in November in the wake of reports that the phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his inner circle had been targeted by Australian spies.
But tensions appeared to thaw as Indonesia announced its decision to return its envoy following a phone conversation between Yudhoyono and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier this week.
"The president and the foreign minister have thought for a while about my returning to Canberra and we plan that I return this May," the ambassador, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, told AFP.
"As we can see the president had spoken to the prime minister and indeed there are things deemed necessary for me to return to Canberra," he added.
Abbott called Yudhoyono to express his regret after axing a trip to Bali for a conference. The call was viewed as a bid to thaw ties damaged by Canberra's border protection policies and the spying row.
Jakarta had reacted furiously to the news of the spying, halting cooperation in key areas including defence and people-smuggling.
Tensions were further inflamed by Canberra's policy of turning back some asylum-seekers making their way to Australia by boat from Indonesia.