INDONESIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA TO BOOST BILATERAL TIES, DEFENCE COOPERATION

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 15 (Bernama) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo discussed increased cooperation in the fields of defence, cross-border issues, trade, health and education with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in a meeting at Istana Bogor in West Java on Monday.

Both leaders emphasised that defence cooperation is important to strengthen the security of their  countries.

"Indonesia welcomes the implementation of the second Joint Business Forum and the signing of two memoranda of understanding for the transport of passengers and goods, which is vital to boost the economy and strengthen the relations between citizens of both countries at the border," said Widodo, better known as Jokowi.

At a joint press conference, he emphasised the importance of continuing the discussion on the “Preferential Trade Agreement” to increase bilateral trade, as well as the renewal of the health cooperation agreement and the signing of the education cooperation.

Jokowi said Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have started their cooperation in building an electricity network at the Skouw and Wutung borders, which is being carried out by an Indonesian utility company, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero).

Indonesia is committed to supporting the development of Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries, where various grant programmes have been carried out and are still ongoing, such as the renovation of hospitals in Port Moresby and the construction of public facilities in West Sepik, he added.

Marape and his delegation have been here since Sunday to attend the Annual Leaders' Dialogue with Jokowi.

-- BERNAMA