Indonesian President, Joko Widodo is set to make a state visit to Papua New Guinea next month.
The one-day visit is scheduled for July 6 and comes after of Marape’s own state visit to Indonesia in March 2022.
“Papua New Guinea will be honored to host Indonesian President Widodo next month,” Marape said.
Indonesia is PNG’s closest neighbor sharing a land border and close ethnic ties with its border peoples.
The two leaders are expected to discuss economic relations, as Papua New Guinea focuses on maintaining its relations with counties in the region.
Prime Minister Marape was in Korea he discusses new trade opportunities and on Thursday, he officiated at the inauguration of Bank of China representiave office in Port Moresby.
The visit from President Widodo follows recent visits to PNG from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New Zealand Prime Minister Hon. Chris Hipkins and other Pacific leaders.
Marape added that he wants the focus of formal talks to shift from border issues to trade, business-to-business relations and people-to-people relations.
PNG and Indonesia established formal diplomatic ties in 1976 and Indonesia played a key role in PNG’s admission into the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group.
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The issue of West Papua must take precedence over all other matters!
Why is Indonesia sending 20,000 troops to West Papua? Are they planning to obliterate the Melanesian race? Will West Papua be given greater autonomy or even independence? Will Indonesia allow a referendum like we did here with Bougainville?
Come on Prime Minister… have some balls and ask these questions!
They are our Melanesian brothers and sisters… one people, one soul!
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-Scott
I am always baffled by the lack of support given to West Papua.
I met a West Papuan who was studying political science and international development with a soul purpose and mission of reaching the highest post in UN and shine the light on the issues faced by West Papuans.