By DALCY LULUA
MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko has disclosed that the Defence Coorperation Agreement (DCA) between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia has been finally rectified after sitting idle in the Foreign Affairs Office for ten (10) years.
“The PNG-Indonesia DCA was signed on March 12, 2010 in Port Moresby respectively by the then Minister for Defence of PNG Sir Bob Dadae and his Indonesian counterpart Hon Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
“The agreement was subsequently rectified by the government of the Republic of Indonesia in 2012, however, PNG was yet to rectify the said Agreement.
“Since Rectification by Indonesia, the agreement requires its ‘Entry into Force’ to be triggered by PNG through this instrument of Rectification, for the agreement to commence into a life,” Minister Tkatchenko said.
He further highlighted that the agreement has not been in force since Indonesian’s Rectification, and the signing by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and exchange of Instruments of Rectification, commits PNG to Bilateral Defence Coorperation Agreement, triggering Entry into Force.
Minister Tkatchenko applauds the Marape-Rosso Government for being instrumental in bringing life to the agreement that was signed 10 years ago.
“This DCA has been sitting and gathering dust on the shelves in Foreign Affairs Office for the last 10 years and finally under the Marape-Rosso Government with the hardworking Indonesian Government we have now finally rectify this very important agreement between the two countries.
“This document has been signed off and approved by the Acting Speaker of National Parliament a few weeks ago and now being rectified by the Foreign Affairs Department,” he added.
The Minister announced this in the presence of his department Secretary Elias Wohengu, PNG Defence Force Secretary John Akipe acting Commander of PNGDF Philip Polewara and Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Adriana Supandi.
“We look forward to a partnership in security securing our boarders, our people, our ties and partnerships with Indonesia which has never ever been stronger than before.
“This DCA is very significant when it comes to security measures and issues on our shore and between our two countries especially in Defence.
“PNG forces will be working closely and side by side on our boarders, within our country and their country, sharing knowledge, training and many other things as well.”
“With implementation might come some issues within both parties but our relationship is mature and strong enough that we can also come to compromise some understanding between the two nations,” he stressed.
Minister Tkatchenko thanked the Indonesian Government for their partnership and support towards PNG and for being patient with PNG government for 10 years for the PNG-Indonesia DCA to be rectified.
