PNG Immigration Minister meets Indonesian Ambassador to Strengthen Discusions on Land Border Movement
Nukundj meets with Indonesian Ambassador to strengthen Discussions on Land Border Movement
Papua New Guinea Minister for Immigration and Border Security Westly Nukundi Nukundj accepted an invitation from the Indonesian Embassy in Papua New Guinea to meet with His Excellency Andriana Sutandy.
The meeting was a follow up on earlier discussions between the leaders of the two nations, Prime Minister James Marape and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Minister Nukundj reiterated the Government’s position on reaching an understanding with PNG’s closest neighbor on controlling the movement of people into PNG through the land border.
“ COVID -19 is present in Indonesia and the chances of it being spread into PNG by land is very high .We have our security forces mending our border but we have to work together through an understanding to ensure that the virus does not spread over to PNG,” emphasized the Minister.
Ambassador Sutandy in response said he is pleased to continue the discussions as a follow up from initial discussion between the two leaders.
He expressed his gratitude towards the PNG government for its corporation in ensuring that 24 Indonesians were safely repatriated back last month. He said those repatriated were working in the PNGLNG Project, Oil Search and other companies.
The Ambassador further went on to say he is looking forward to the same assistance through the office of the Controller when the second repatriation exercise is carried later this month. The second batch will be about 100 who are working in different companies operating along the borders.
His Excellency in the course of their discussions , made mention that he had discussed with other state Ministers in the areas of Commerce ,Transport and State Owned Enterprises on development assistance in these different areas.
In conclusion both agreed that the PNG-Indonesia relationship must be strengthen though mutual trust and understanding and further corporation between the two nations.
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