Prime Minister O'Neill meets President Widodo
This meeting was to basically reiterate the people and Government of Papua New Guinea’s congratulations for President Widodo’s inauguration as well as seek reaffirmation of the existing excellent relations between PNG and Indonesia.
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill also took the opportunity to acknowledge the immediate past President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his role and efforts in enhancing and strengthening PNG-Indonesian relations during his tenure.
During the brief discussions, Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill informed the President of his successful visit to Indonesia in June 2013, whereby both governments concluded 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in the areas of trade and investment, business cooperation, capacity building, visa and immigration, energy and mining sector development, sporting and cultural exchanges.
President Widodo advised of his government’s desire to continue to jointly implement these MoUs including cooperative efforts on addressing autonomy and economic issues at the border issues including security.
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill in response acknowledged that Indonesia was the gateway to the Asian region and it was a major partner for PNG to expand its economic relations with the rest of Asia.
He then sought Indonesia’s assistance for PNG’s desire to become a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and further thanked Indonesia for its continued support for PNG’s intentions to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit in 2018. “Indonesia’s support for PNG in 2018 would be in the area of security and logistics,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said.
President Widodo in other matters informed of the card system for access to health and education services, which he had introduced for low-level income earners, while he was Governor of Jakarta.
He also expressed interest in PNG’s natural resources sector and sought information on current Indonesian investments in PNG. “Indonesian investment in PNG is rapidly expanding in trade and investment, mining, retail and agriculture and there is potential for more growth in other vital areas,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said in response.
He also noted the card system concept and sought Indonesian support and information on this matter, given that his government had invested heavily in these two important sectors.
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill further thanked the President for allowing him to be among the first Leaders to meet with him on the occasion of his first day at work in office and reiterated the invitation for him to visit PNG sometime in the near future. Overall, President Widodo remained content and assuring that the bilateral relations would continue from where his predecessor left.
The Prime Minister and his small entourage comprising Minister Rimbink Pato (Foreign Affairs) and Ben Micah (State Enterprises) returned to PNG soon after their meeting with the Indonesian President.
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