Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Signed Four Bilateral Agreements
- VIVA/Ahmad Farhan Faris
Bogor – The meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Bogor, West Java, on Monday (July 15) resulted four bilateral agreements.
In a joint press statement, President Jokowi stated that these agreements are necessary to strengthen the security of both nations.
"Indonesia also welcomes the implementation of the second joint business forum and the signing of two memorandums of understanding on land borders for passenger and goods transportation," the head of state said.
The President assessed that cooperation in cross-border land transportation for passengers and goods is needed to improve the economy and strengthen relations between residents at the border, and both leaders agreed on cross-border movement for commercial buses and goods.
This agreement regulates the public transportation mechanism from Jayapura, Indonesia, to Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, as quoted from Antara site.
The second agreement pertains to the cross-border transport of goods by motor vehicles. This regulates the movement of goods carried by public transport passengers across the Jayapura and Vanimo borders.
Presiden Jokowi Bersama Perdana Menteri Papua Nugini James Marape
- VIVA/Ahmad Farhan Faris
The head of state also lauded the renewal of the cooperation agreement in the health sector that has been in place since 2018 and had expired in 2022.
This collaboration regulates several general welfare issues regarding public health on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border.
The fourth cooperation agreement covers the education sector to provide a legal umbrella for training and capacity building for teaching staff and scholarships for students.
"This health cooperation renewal and the signing of education cooperation aim to strengthen collaboration between the two countries," President Jokowi stated.
The president also emphasized the importance of continuing discussions on the preferential trade agreement to step up trade between both nations.
