Photo credit: Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council
After a decade, the PNG/lndonesia SOM was convened in the Indonesian harbour city of Jayapura from 11th-12th October 2022.
The PNG side was led by Mr Frank M. Aisi, Deputy Secretary Policy 1 responsible for Economic and Infrastructure Sectors and International Relations of the Department of Prime Minister and NEC, whilst the Indonesian delegation was led by His Excellency Mr Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his opening remarks Mr Aisi informed that the SOM was timely in that it presented the opportunity to refocus attention and add value and practical meaning to the existing bilateral relations following Prime Minister Marape's Official Visit to Indonesia.
Prime Minister Marape embarked on a whistle-stop visit to the Republic of Indonesia in early March this year and was well received by President Widodo and their discussions set in motion a series of bilateral issues that we bureaucrats need to take note of and commence implementation, said Mr Aisi.
Mr Aisi at the outset also referred to President Widodo's remarks during the above visit, that "you cannot choose your neighbours". This resonated well with the common desire by both sides to elevate the relations to complement PNGs long term commitment to industrialize, downstream and value add its vast renewable and non- renewable resources to be a net exporter and supplier to the global and nearby lucrative Asian markets including Indonesia.
The strong partnership with Indonesia to promote business, trade, investment, construct economic infrastructure and particularly harnessing the agriculture sector was vital in growing the rural economy of PNG in the immediate to long term.
These also included, first and foremost the immediate re-opening of the Wutung-Skouw PNG/lndonesia Border which was closed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have checked with the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority Head Mr Stanislaus Hulahau and his Team including, Foreign Affairs, Customs, Quarantine,Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs and the Sandaun Provincial Authorities and they have given their full assurance that issues relating to infrastructure, are now being attended to, to ensure the PNG Border Post at Wutung is fully functional, said Mr Aisi.
In fact, Mr Aisi informed the SOM, that following thorough consultations with the above PNG Agencies the border was set to re-open on 24th October 2022.
In terms of the SOM, agreement was reached on configuring the annual, SOM, Joint Border Committee and Border Liaison Meetings and Joint Ministerial Commission Meetings to ensure continuity in terms of reporting and evaluation of our bilateral relations going forward with security, people to people contact, visa and consular, business, trade, investment and cultural and educational exchanges.
The SOM also agreed to establish a Working Committee to review the array of PNG/lndonesia Treaties and MoUs to ensure they are relevant and positively driving our existing relations. The PNG Embassy in Jakarta will work closely with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify these 100 or so arrangements before the Working Committee headed by the PNG Department of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General commence the review and related processes in close consultation with the relevant Sector Agencies and Departments.
In light of the deepening bilateral cooperation both sides underlined the urgent need to ratify and bring into force the Basic Agreement on Border Arrangements, Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders and Defence Cooperation Agreement.
To strengthen trade and economic cooperation the SOM agreed for the need for both sides to take immediate steps to commence negotiations for the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). This can start with the PNG National Trade Office taking the lead, while the feasibility study is being undertaken. In fact the Indonesian side informed of their readiness to prepare the modalities for the feasibility study and incorporate the views of both sides so that it is wholly inclusive.
This would also set the basis for in-depth discussions by both sides for a Bilateral Investment Treaty to promote business, trade, and investment and to support the above the PNG Customs informed that following completion of our domestic processes the Customs to Customs MoU will be formalised in the near future.
In related SOM matters, the issues of technical, vocational and tertiary institution support was raised to support PNGs initiatives to become a knowledge-based economy to complement our development agenda. The Indonesian side agreed to look into this matter urgently and revert, given that it was a Prime Ministerial request.
For consular matters, the Indonesian Delegation Leader raised the recent shooting incident of the Calvin Vessel in PNG Territorial waters and Tonolei camp in Bougainville as well as the arrest of the Arsylla 77 Baraka Fariz 21 Fishing Vessel. The PNG side informed that investigations were ongoing by PNG Authorities with a view to bringing full closure to these matters.
Overall the Jayapura SOM was a resounding success, with decisions discussed and arrived at in an amicable manner. The pathway forward now especially for the PNG side is to ensure all participating Departments and Agencies complete our domestic processes on our sectoral issues before we report to the next SOM, as that will be an indication of our commitment to advancing the existing excellent bilateral relations with our nearest neighbour, Indonesia, said Mr Aisi.
Article courtesy of the Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council
