PNG to push for Indonesia to have an associate members in MSG

Papua New Guinea will push for Indonesia to have an associate membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says P-N-G will gladly endorse and pursue the matter with other other leaders in the Melanesian Group.

This was among Agreements reached during two-day Indonesian Presidential visit to the country, including increased cross border cooperation on energy production and crime prevention.

The Prime Minister said he's satisfied with the outcomes so far.

Prime Minister, O'Neill said this will allow five Melanesian Provinces in Indonesia to participate in cultural, trade and investment engagements between the Melanesian countries and communities within the region.

This will also enable the Melanesian people to participate in sporting events and other activities of cultural significance further strengthening the relationship with the 11-million people on the Indonesian side of the border.

The Prime Minister described this as a unique understanding between the two governments and salutes President Widodo's courage to take a step forward in the relationship on how we engage with the Melanesians in the Indonesian provinces

Prime Minister O'Neill said there will be a further enhancement of cross-border trade that ranges from grassroots commerce and SME exchange, through to major utilities trade.

The two countries also signed an MOU on Co-operation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crime, and an MOU on Co-operation in the Field of Human Resource Development in Petroleum and Energy.