Trade, extradition and West Papua on agenda for PNG-Indonesia talks

PNG PM with Indonesian counterpart (AFP Adek Barry)

ABC News

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says trade, border issues and an extradition treaty will be on the agenda for this weekend's trip to Indonesia.

Mr O'Neill says the trip will mark a historic deepening of bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries.

He says trade will be a key focus, with a comprehensive partnership agreement covering economic links.

"We want to encourage further strengthening of the trade and investment opportunities between the two countries," he said.

"[We want] to further develop the economic opportunities along the border area, and further strengthen the management of the border issues between the two countries."

Border issues include people from Indonesia's West Papua province seeking shelter in PNG, and ongoing reports of human rights abuses against pro-independence activists in West Papua.

Mr O'Neill says PNG's policy is that West Papua is an integral part of Indonesia, but he looks forward to discussing the border issues.

"We are encouraged by the invitation by the Indonesian Government, through the president, for the first time in its history asking Papua New Guinea to help in some of those issues in West Papua," he said.

"We have taken up that invitation and we are going to positively discuss many of those issues...with the president and the Indonesian Government officials."

Mr O'Neill says PNG's cabinet has agreed on an extradition treaty with Indonesia that will be discussed during the trip.

The discussion comes in the wake of the case Indonesian citizen, Joko Chandra, who fled to PNG and was made a citizen, despite it being illegal to hold dual citizenship.

Mr O'Neill says he and Indonesia's president have not discussed that specific case, which will be up to the courts to rule on.

"The ministerial committee's decision is final - Joko remains a citizen of Papua New Guinea until the courts decide whether that citizenship is valid or not," he said

"But of course if the president and the Indonesian officials bring up the issues, now the extradition issues are now going to be assigned between the two countries, we will process any of those issues, including this particular case in accordance with that treaty."

Peter O'Neill said many ministers will be on hand to sign agreements and more than 100 business people will also join the delegation.