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Indonesia, PNG affirm defense cooperation amid regional tensions
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Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi shakes hands with her Papua New Guinea counterpart Justin Tkatchenko on May 8, 2024, following a joint statement after the fourth Jakarta-Port Moresby Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Jayapura, Papua. (Courtesy of/Foreign Ministry)
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ndonesia reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with Papua New Guinea on Wednesday in a “historic” meeting in Jayapura that emphasized defense cooperation with the Pacific Island nation amid unabating geopolitical tensions in the region.
PNG is a “natural” and “critical partner for Indonesia” in its engagement with Pacific Island countries, said Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi following her Wednesday meeting with her PNG counterpart Justin Tkatchenko for the fourth Jakarta-Port Moresby Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
At the event, Retno renewed Indonesia’s commitment to engaging with PNG, highlighting the two countries’ interest in “working together to maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region”.
Indonesia and PNG also signed an agreement for long-term bilateral development cooperation, as well as another for training programs for diplomats from Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries, such as PNG.
Political and defense cooperation was the focus of the Jayapura talks, with Retno and Tkatchenko welcoming the long-awaited implementation of Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).
The DCA was signed by the two countries in 2010 but only came into effect this year after the PNG parliament ratified it in late February. Indonesia ratified the pact in 2012.
The agreement seeks to strengthen the ties between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the PNG Defense Force, including through the exchange of personnel for training, intelligence cooperation and logistical support.
