Suva, Fiji (Antara Bali) - Indonesias Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan and the accompanying delegation arrived at Suva, the capital of Fiji, on Wednesday for a day long visit to the island state in the South Pacific region to improve bilateral relations.
He was accompanied by Djauhari Oratmangun, former ambassador to Russia who is now a special ministerial staff for strategic issues.
Upon arrival at Nausori International airport in Suva after flying for more than six hours from Jayapura, Minister Luhut Panjaitan immediately went to Hotel Grand Pacific and Holiday Inn to spend the night.
Minister Pandjaitan is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister J.V. Bainimarama, flanked by Djauhari Oratmangun, the Indonesian ambassador to Fiji, Papuas deputy governor and Maluku governor.
Minister Pandjaitan and delegation would meet with Fijis Minister of Agricultural, Rural, Maritime Affairs and National Disaster Management.
During the meeting with the minister, Pandjaitan will be flanked by North Maluku governor, deputy head of National Disaster Mitigation Agency, head of East Nusa Tenggara tourism service and first assistant of the West Papua provincial administration.
As part of the agenda, the head of the National Election Commission, Husni Kamil Manik, would sign a memorandum of understanding on election management with his counterpart from the Fiji Elections Office.
Later, the coordinating minister and delegation will be hosted for a lunch by Fijis Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. After the lunch, he and the delegation will leave Suva for Papua New Guinea.
Regarding South Pacific countries position on Indonesias foreign policy, Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in Jayapura, Papua, on Monday that Indonesia is committed to strengthening its bilateral relations with these countries.
"We wish for better relations with countries in the South Pacific," he said.
Luhut Pandjaitan said the visit of the Indonesian delegation to Fiji was aimed at extending financial assistance worth US$5 million to help the victims of the Winston typhoon that hit in February.
"I also bring with me a letter from President Joko Widodo for Prime Minister J.V. Bainimarama," he said.
Besides extending financial funds, Indonesia also sent US$3 million worth of goods and a company of army engineers to help in the reconstruction efforts after the category 5 typhoon, he said. (WDY)
