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)
Minister Luhut Pandjaitan Visits Fiji
Pewarta : Reporting by Rahmad Nasution 31 Maret 2016 08:44 WIB