Review of traditional border crossing deal needed urgently

Review of memorandum of understanding on special arrangements relating to traditional and customary border crossings between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia is an outstanding matter that needs to be dealt with as priority, says an official.
Dr John Balavu, a representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs, was speaking at the opening of a workshop in Sogeri outside Port Moresby yesterday.
He said the MoU was special as it affected daily activities of border inhabitants of both countries.
Balavu, who represented Secretary Barbara Age at the workshop, said daily activities along the border included use of customary land over the border for gardening and hunting.
He said it was also used for other customary obligations like feasts, ceremonies, marriage and burials.
“The importance of that MoU cannot be overstated as it is vital for day-to-day administration of traditional/customary border crossings arrangements and guide border officers to administer the arrangements effectively,” Balavu said.
“Therefore, I urge this committee to complete this review by this year, 2019.
“A fully operational Wutung border post would act as catalyst for future expansion and development of border posts along strategic locations of our common land border.
“That can contribute positively towards improving economic and social prosperity for our border inhabitants.
“The opening of Wutung/Skouw border post in Vanimo cannot be prolonged and deferred.
“It is one of the most-significant investments that will enhance and facilitate cross –border trade and investment, tourism, including exchange of social and cultural activities through people-to-people connections, and engagements between PNG and Indonesia border provinces and our two nations as a whole.
“Our foreign policy is also underpinned by our commitment to a rules-based international order, which requires us to recognise sovereignty and borders as upheld by international law.
“Our foreign policy, emphasising neighbourly cooperation, is driven by the theme ‘Connecting for peace and prosperity in a changing world’.”
The workshop is a combined review workshop on border arrangements between PNG and neighboring countries
This second review workshop will provide opportunity for implementing agencies such as PNG Customs Services and PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority to engage in the discussion.