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Indonesia and PNG Signs Four MoUs
WINDONESIA July 18, 2024
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo and PNG Prime Minister James Marape at the Bogor Palace on Jul. 15, 2024. (Press, Media, and Information Bureau of the State Secretariat Ministry's Presidential Secretariat).
President of Indonesia Joko "Jokowi" Widodo received a working visit from Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape at the Bogor Palace on Jul. 15, 2024. The two leaders agreed on four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in the areas of commercial bus crossings, goods crossings, health cooperation, and education cooperation. On this occasion, the President also expressed condolences for the landslide disaster and mentioned the previous aid provided to the landslide victims in the PNG.
The four MoUs resulting from the meeting are:
1. The MoU on Cross Border Movement for Commercial Buses and Coaches, which will regulate the mechanism for public transportation crossing to carry passengers across the border from Jayapura City, Papua Province to Vanimo Town, Vanimo-Green River District, Sandaun Province, PNG.
2. The MoU on Cross Border Transport of Goods by Motor Vehicles, which is intended to regulate the crossing of goods that can be carried by passengers of public transportation crossing the border from Jayapura to Vanimo.
3. The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Health, which is an update of the 2018 MoU that expired in 2022. The MoU addresses general welfare and public health issues in the border area.
4. The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Education, which serves as a framework for various future educational cooperations, including training and capacity building for educators and the provision of scholarships.
Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two leaders emphasized that the implementation of the defense cooperation agreement is crucial for strengthening the security of both countries. Indonesia welcomed the execution of the second Joint Business Forum.
Furthermore, President Joko Widodo reiterated the importance of continuing the discussions on the Preferential Trade Agreement to enhance trade between the two countries. Additionally, the renewal of the health cooperation agreement and the signing of the education cooperation agreement are also expected to strengthen collaboration between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Regarding the construction of the electricity network by PLN at the Skouw Yambe Village border in Wutung Village, Bonei-Wutung Onei Rural LLG, Vanimo Town, Vanimo-Green River District, Sandaun Province, PNG; Jokowi stated that this cooperation has begun and that electricity has been turned on in Wutung today.
Indonesia is also committed to supporting development in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries through various grant programs, such as renovations in Port Moresby and the construction of public facilities in West Sepik.
Source: kemlu.go.id