FOREIGN Affairs Minister, Hon Justin Tkatchenko has announced that he will be moving forward in signing a Defence Corporation Agreement between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
The Foreign Affairs Minister made this known during an official visit to Indonesia for the Pacific Forum for Development.
Speaking to the staff at the PNG Embassy in Jakarta, he said he is looking forward to strengthening the relationship with Indonesia and making sure that both countries are working tougher on the same level, especially when it comes to defence.
‘’We are now going to move forward in signing a Defence Corporation Agreement between PNG and Indonesia, sharing the security on the borders together, working tougher and partnering together,’’ Minister Tkatchenko said.
He said Papua New Guinea is looking forward for a new relationship with the Republic of Indonesia, starting with defence, agriculture and security as we share the biggest border, hence taking the bilateral relationship to a level where it has never been before.
‘’I will be working closely with your Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marasudi, whom I’ve known for about six years in one my previous ministerial capacities as APEC Minister,’’ he said.
He said he will not take “no” for an answer and will get things done in a bigger way.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea is preparing for an official state visit from the Indonesian President Joko Widodo next year through an official invitation from the Prime Minister, Hon James Marape.