TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, welcomed the visit by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at the Bogor Palace on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Unlike previous state welcomes, the arrival of Prime Minister Marape at around 10 a.m. was unaccompanied by the usual cavalry and music corps of the Presidential Security Forces. The leaders exchanged greetings before proceeding to a private meeting.

Attending the meeting from the Indonesian side were Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan, State Secretary Pratikno, Education Minister Nadiem Makarim, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

Following a group photo and signing of the guest book, Jokowi and Marape held a bilateral meeting. As of now, no official press statements have been issued.

The two leaders last met at the 43rd ASEAN Summit on September 7, 2023. Jokowi expressed gratitude for PNG's support of Indonesia’s sovereignty and its role in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), which was held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, August 23-24, 2023. He also welcomed increased economic activity along the border following the opening of the Skouw-Wutung border and the launch of direct flights between Port Moresby and Denpasar.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape congratulated Indonesia on its successful ASEAN chairmanship and reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to its neighbor.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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