REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PORT MORESBY -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo hopes that cooperation between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will continue to increase.
"When he came to Indonesia during my inauguration, we (Joko Widodo and PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill) agreed to cooperate in all fields. My current visit is to meet that commitment," Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, said during a banquet at the PNG parliament building here on Monday.
He added that PNG was an important neighbor with which Indonesia could cooperate with mutual benefits.
"For Indonesia, PNG is an important neighbor, sharing hopes and islands and coexisting peacefully," he remarked.
The president hopes that PNG serves as a bridge for Indonesia to establish cooperation with other Melanesian countries.
With its high economic growth, which is an achievement, PNG can better cooperate (with Indonesia).
"We will celebrate the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We hope we can cooperate to build mutual prosperity," Jokowi noted.
Moreover, PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill stated that Jokowi's visit was very important for his country.
"Indonesia is a big and advanced country. PNG is willing to learn so it can improve its regions. There is work we can do together," he pointed out.
He revealed that Indonesia and PNG will sign a cooperation document, among others, on the settlement of transnational crimes that disturb both countries, on economic cooperation, and cooperation to resolve problems the two nations face together.
"Problems exist, but we will try to find ways out for the benefit of both countries," he affirmed.
President Joko Widodo arrived at Papua New Guinea's Jacksons International Airport at around 1 p.m. on Monday for a state visit to the neighboring country.
On arrival, the president, who was flanked by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and Chief Security Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Leo Deon in a military ceremony.
The ceremony was also attended by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Energy Minister Sudirman Said and Chief of the National Intelligence Agency Marciano Norman, who had reached ahead of him.
President Joko Widodo had said earlier that he would discuss several matters concerning cooperation between the two countries during his visit.
"A lot of subjects have to be discussed. I will tell you in detail later," he stated at a press conference in Biak, Papua, before leaving for Papua New Guinea.
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