Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Enhance Relations

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The bilateral meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter Charles ONeill on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Manila, Philippines, aims to increase cooperation in economic and other sectors, Indonesias Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla stated.

"The bilateral meeting was aimed to boost economic cooperation and maintain relations with countries in the Pacific region," Kalla stated here as published on the official website of the Vice Presidents Secretariat, on Thursday.

During the meeting, both countries agreed to intensify economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of goods trade and investment as well as border trade.

Additionally, Prime Minister ONeill sought Indonesias assistance in organizing the APEC Summit Meeting 2018, where Papua New Guinea will host the event.

"Furthermore, they called for Indonesian assistance in organizing the APEC 2018 Summit. Indonesia has immense experience. Thus, we are ready to assist," Kalla remarked.

Earlier, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea had planned to discuss a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on law enforcement to handle crimes in both countries.

Liaison Officer of Indonesia Senior Commissioner Adjunct Yan Reba noted that the MoU was signed to enhance cooperation on law enforcement to handle cross-border crimes in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

"The agreement is called the MoU of Police to Police. It is a provincial- or district-level cooperation on holding border liaison meetings for safety and security reasons and is part of the legal framework," Reba explained.

According to Reba, once both countries agree on the legal framework in the MoU, law enforcement and sanctions will be imposed equally on criminals in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

He added that the MoU will be inked during the ministerial meeting of the Joint Border Committee forum.
(WDY)