TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape spoke about the measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea today at Bogor Presidential Palace. Both countries signed four MoUs after the hour-long meeting.

The agreements concerned cross-border movement for commercial buses and goods, cross-border transport of goods by motor vehicle, public health at the border areas of both countries, as well as the training and capacity building for educators and student scholarships.

"The cross-border movement MoUs are pivotal to improving the economy and the people-to-people relations in the borders,” Jokowi said in a press statement on Monday, July 15, 2024.

The Indonesian president also emphasized the importance of continuing discussions on the preferential trade agreement to improve trade between the two countries.

On the same occasion, Marape said the four MoUs would continue and strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The prime minister specifically appreciated Indonesia’s commitment to assisting the development of an electricity network by its state-owned electricity company PLN at the Skouw-Wutung border.

“We respect each other's sovereignty, but we live in the same space,” Marape said.

James Marape said his visit to Indonesia this time around was a form of respect for President Jokowi who will end his term on October 20 this year. The prime minister lauded Jokowi’s commitment to the country’s partnership with Papua New Guinea and the Asia Pacific region.

The New Guinea PM said that in the future, there will still be many opportunities as well as common challenges that both countries can mutually face, including those related to climate change and people.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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