Indonesia shares vision of strong bilateral relations

PRIME Minister James Marape and Indonesia President Joko Widodo have similar visions to bring economic and social development to the Melanesians in both countries, Indonesia ambassador to PNG Andriana Supandy says.
Supandy said Widodo was ambitious and had a strong intention of developing the eastern region of Indonesia that included West Papua and Papua provinces.
He was speaking during a reception for Indonesia’s 74th independence anniversary in Port Moresby last Thursday.
“Under the present leadership of both countries, Indonesia and PNG will have more opportunities to further review what we have achieved,” he said. Supandy said PNG was not only a neighbour but also a close friend.
“Indonesia stood with PNG during the Feb 2018 earthquake and contributed to the redevelopment efforts,” he said.
“Later in the same year, we did our best to support PNG to host the Apec Summit. In a formal framework of cooperation, Indonesia and PNG signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in June 2013, considering the strong and long-standing bilateral relations based on friendship and mutual respect.
“We have also signed 11 memorandums of understanding in 2013 in politics, security, economic development, education and socio-cultural cooperation.”