VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with her Papua New Guinea –PNG counterpart, Rimbink Pato to discuss main issues between the two countries. The bilateral meeting took place at Gedung Pancasila, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday (July 19, 2018). On the occasion, Minister Retno Marsudi expressed her appreciation to Papua New Guinea which has been respecting the territorial integrity of Indonesia. In addition, the two countries also agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and improve community empowerment to face global challenges.

 “Indonesia appreciates very much the consistency of PNG in respecting the territorial integrity of Indonesia and likewise Indonesia also respects the territorial integrity of PNG. Indonesia and PNG are two partners in the Pacific. We both are very active in a number of forums in Pacific among others, APEC, MSG, PIF, and others. We are committed to using regional forum in Pacific to strengthen economic cooperation, empower our people and to jointly face our challenges. In this regard, Indonesia strongly supports the chairmanship of PNG in APEC,” Retno Marsudi said.

Furthermore, Minister Retno Marsudi also explained that the form of support given by Indonesia to PNG is related to the leadership of Papua New Guinea in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) such as capacity building assistance, protocol and security management for APEC Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in November. On the other hand, both Foreign Ministers also agreed to strengthen the border security between the two countries, especially in the areas of Skouw and Wutung. Minister Retno Marsudi perceived that the border management is very important to ensure that the movement of goods and people between countries runs well and improves the economy of the people in both countries, especially in border areas.(VOI/Rezha/RHM)