Border meetings strengthening ties

ANNUAL border meetings between PNG and Indonesia have laid a solid framework and foundation for both countries on border issues, an official says.
Leader of the PNG delegation to the 35th joint border committee (JBC) Joseph Warus said sectors such as bilateral trade, investment, shipping and transport, education, fisheries, agriculture, culture and tourism, including people to people contact, have blossomed.
“Within that perspective, it is pleasing to acknowledge the initiatives taken by Sandaun (West Sepik) and Western governments in promoting people to people contact through social and cultural activities among border inhabitants that include residents of Vanimo and Jayapura towns in activities such as the 10km fun run event, Christmas choir festival and the annual food festivals,” Warus said.
“PNG is pleased with the basic agreement 2013 and traditional border crossing arrangements as they serve the basic of our relations.
“They have provided the basic guidelines in which our countries are conducting our border bilateral relations.
“I wish to encourage officials of both governments to carry out verification exercise along the border and find resolutions to this agenda without delay.”
Warus also noted another outstanding issue which is the review of special arrangements on traditional and customary border crossing 1993 and is looking forward to a fruitful outcome, with development planning on border facilities and infrastructures that are needed along the border.
He said he was confident that through mutual respect, friendship and cooperation that continued to characterise the two countries’ relationship, they would be able to amicably deal with issues that arose and built on previous achievements to strengthen and consolidate border relations.