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Indonesia-PNG meeting highlights defense, development cooperation
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Neighborly shake: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape greet each other on July 5, 2023, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Haus in Port Moresby, before holding a joint press conference on their bilateral meeting. (AFP/Andrew Kutan)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday met with visiting Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape to emphasize the importance of cooperation in security and development, amid simmering tensions in the region and Jakarta’s increased emphasis on maintaining ties with its Pacific island neighbors.
Viewing the country as Indonesia’s “strategic partner”, Jakarta hopes that the PNG will aid its efforts in collaborating with Pacific island regional groups such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Jokowi said after his bilateral meeting with Marape.
Attending the third Indonesia-PNG Leaders Dialogue, Marape’s visit to the Bogor Palace in West Java heralded three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on border movement, border transportation and education, as well as a renewed MoU on cooperation in the health sector.
“I’m delighted by PM Marape’s visit to Indonesia, which displays the ever-tightening brotherhood between Indonesia and the PNG,” said Jokowi.
“Indonesia is committed to supporting the development of the PNG and other Pacific island countries. [...] We appreciate and continue to count on the PNG’s support in elevating our cooperation with the Pacific.”
Among the top topics of discussion were cooperation in defense, energy and trade, with Jokowi also emphasizing the need to advance the Indonesia-PNG preferential trade agreement.
Read also: Indonesia, PNG affirm defense cooperation amid regional tensions
