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Trade, Extradition and Papua on Agenda for PNG-Indonesia Talks: Report
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is planning to discuss the topics of trade, border security and extradition during his three-day visit to Indonesia over the weekend, a report from Port Moresby said on Friday.
“We want to encourage further strengthening of trade and investment opportunities between the two countries,” O’Neill was quoted as saying in a report carried by the Australia Network News.
The prime minister also added that he will talk about ways to develop economic opportunities along border areas, as well as strengthen the management of border issues, between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
The approximately 800 kilometer-long porous border between PNG and Indonesia’s Papua province is host to many issues. In addition to cross-border crossings by various tribes and people from Papua seeking shelter in PNG, there are ongoing reports of human rights abuses against pro-independence activists in Papua, as well.
O’Neill stressed that his country’s policy is to view Papua as an integral part of Indonesia, but added that he looked forward to discussing matters surrounding the shared border.
“We are encouraged by the invitation by the Indonesian government. For the first time in its history, [the country is] asking Papua New Guinea to help in some of those issues in West Papua,” he said.
According to the report, O’Neill said that the PNG cabinet has agreed on an extradition treaty with Indonesia that will be discussed during the trip.
The talks come in the wake of the case of Indonesian citizen Joko Chandra, who fled to PNG and was made a citizen despite it being illegal to hold dual citizenship in Indonesia.
O’Neill said that many ministers will be on hand to sign agreements, and more than 100 business people will join the delegation.
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