Mohammed Iswandi Kassan Anuar
JAKARTA, July 15 (Bernama) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at the Bogor Istana in West Java on Monday to discuss strengthening cooperation in the areas of defence, border issues, trade, health and education.
The two leaders stressed the importance of defence cooperation in strengthening the security of both countries.
“Indonesia welcomes the holding of the second Joint Business Forum and the signing of two memorandums of understanding on passenger and cargo transport, which are essential to boost the economy and strengthen ties between the people of our two countries at the border,” said President Widodo, better known as Jokowi.
At the joint press conference, he stressed the importance of continuing discussions on the “Preferential Trade Agreement” to expand bilateral trade, as well as renewing the health cooperation agreement and signing the education cooperation agreement.
President Jokowi said Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have begun cooperation in building an electricity grid at the Sukow and Utung borders, work being carried out by Indonesian utility company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero).
Indonesia is committed to supporting the development of Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries, and various grant aid programs have been implemented and are ongoing, including 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 summit with President Jokowi.
— Bernama
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