A very warm exchange took place between Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Indonesia’s President-elect, Prabowo Subianto when the two met today during the president’s 5-hour stop over visit in Port Moresby.
Prime Minister Marape met the Indonesian leader at Jacksons International Airport to welcome him to Papua New Guinea, and later in a bilateral meeting at Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. This was later followed by a brief joint press conference soon after.
Both leaders were very cordial with each other and highlighted the agenda discussed in the meeting.
Prime Minister Marape said, “I want to say on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, our sincerest appreciation for our closest neighbour and its President-elect coming here in one of his first visits.
“My good wantok, we say thank you for visiting us.”
Prime Minister Marape said he has accepted the invitation to witness the inauguration of the new president in October in Jakarta. A similar invitation had also been put to the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by the new president and was also accepted.
“We are the three nations living side-by-side on this side of Planet Earth where global conversations rotate around Indo-Pacific and we are in the heartbeat of these Indo-Pacific conversations.
“In that context, I have accepted the invitation on behalf of all of us to attend the inauguration,” said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Marape also highlighted that the two leaders also ended a “very good” meet & greet with various ministers of the PNG Government.
“We have touched on the core fundamentals of our two nations’ relationship, respecting the two nations’ sovereignty as we share our common land border and common people-to-people ties.
“The President-elect has given his full assurance that the work of the leaders’ dialogue under Marape-Widodo will carry on. So far, we have had three nation-to-nation meetings and exchanges, and the President-elect has affirmed that these exchanges will continue especially in business-to-business and people-to-people.
“Government-to-government relation has never been better. We have maintained good dialogue and we are fine-tuning in the other areas.”
The Prime Minister also said he has invited the President-elect to join PNG in its celebration of the country’s 50th Independence anniversary next year 2025. This was also accepted by the new president.
President Subianto was very gracious in his remarks, complimenting the Prime
Minister on his leadership.
He said, “My greatest appreciation for the welcome accorded to me because I am not really installed as the head of government yet, but you accorded me a beautiful ceremony at the airport.
“When you were in Jakarta, you chose to visit me in my office, which was great honour.
“In those few minutes, I felt your sincerity, your friendship and your wisdom as leader, and I became convinced that I must foster and enhance this friendship and relationship. Therefore, I made the decision that I must visit His Excellence James Marape as soon as possible even though I have not yet been formally made the president.
“So from Australia I came here, and I think my decision to come here is very correct and productive. I thank you, Prime Minister Marape, for your wisdom.
“I think PNG is very fortunate to have one of the brilliant leaders that I have met. Your experience, your geo-political outlook, your economic ideas are very important and I once again look forward to working with you.
“Your vision of closeness – whatever politics may happen – but the fact is that we are very close neighbours”.
The new president also highlighted that Indonesia was pleased that Papua New Guinea has expressed its intention to join the Association of South-East Asian Nations, and further mentioned Indonesia would continue the dialogue on trade & investment, and the development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in PNG.
President Subianto also said Indonesia would welcome PNG’s insights on culture and traditional knowledge in relation to people of West Papua.
The two leaders concluded their press conference and the Prime Minister saw off the President at the airport for his flight at 5pm.