Prime Minister Hon. James Marape met with Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President, H.E. Prabowo Subianto, in Jakarta shortly after the President's official swearing-in. The bilateral meeting, held at the Presidential Palace, focused on the future of relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
“President Subianto and I had a very productive bilateral meeting on behalf of our countries,” Prime Minister Marape stated. He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko and Defence Minister Hon. Billy Joseph.
“Papua New Guinea was granted the unique privilege of holding discussions with the Indonesian President immediately following his inauguration. We reflected on the progress in Indonesia-PNG relations under my leadership, starting with former President Joko Widodo and now continuing with President Subianto,” Prime Minister Marape added. He highlighted the conversation’s focus on expanding cooperation across a wider range of areas.
Prime Minister Marape also underscored the opportunity to learn from Indonesia’s economic achievements, stating, “Indonesia is a country from which PNG can gain valuable insights, particularly in economic growth, and we anticipate a bright future in our relations under President Subianto.”
Background on Indonesia-PNG Relations
Papua New Guinea and Indonesia have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship since PNG’s independence in 1975. The two countries share a common border and collaborate on matters such as trade, security, and education. With Indonesia’s expanding economy and its significant influence in the Pacific region, it remains a vital partner for PNG. Under Prime Minister Marape’s leadership, relations with Indonesia have deepened, particularly in economic development, defence, and border management.
This recent meeting builds on these foundations, marking a step towards further enhancing the partnership between the two nations under President Subianto's leadership.
