Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the relationship between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is not only that of friends, but also of allied brothers.
“We are ‘Wan family’. The closest brother is called a neighbor,” said President Jokowi while attending a state lunch hosted by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea Bob Dadae, at APEC Haus, Port Maresby, Papua New Guinea, Wednesday afternoon local time, according to a statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat received at Jakarta.
President Jokowi uses the philosophy of the people of Papua New Guinea “Wan” to describe the unity and togetherness between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Jokowi also appreciated the warm welcome from the government and people of Papua New Guinea.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I am very grateful for the friendship between the two countries that has existed so far,” Jokowi said.
Accompanying President Jokowi at the state luncheon were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister for State Secretary Pratikno, Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister for Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister for Trade Zulkifli Hasan.
President Jokowi on Wednesday afternoon local time also met with the Governor General of Papua New Guinea Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae at Government House, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Jokowi and Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae’s meeting lasted for approximately 20 minutes. Jokowi also held a meeting with Prime Minister (PM) of Papua New Guinea James Marape at APEC Haus, Wednesday afternoon local time. (mhn/ril)
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