In front of the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Jokowi Calls Papua Development a Priority

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received an honorary visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Nanaia Mahuta, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (15/11). During the meeting, Jokowi conveyed a number of things, especially regarding the cooperation that he wanted to strengthen.

"Thank you for New Zealand's support for the 2nd Pacific Exposition which was held virtually," said Jokowi.

Jokowi explained that Indonesia is paying special attention to the Pacific during Indonesia's presidency at the G20 next year. Jokowi said that representatives from Pacific countries would be invited to the G20 summit in October next year.

"In last week's COP-26, Indonesia specifically also brought the voices of small island countries that are members of the AIS (Archipelagic and Islands State)," he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said that this visit was Foreign Minister Mahuta's first visit abroad as Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. According to him, Indonesia and New Zealand have had a comprehensive partnership since 2018.

This partnership has become a strong foundation in the efforts of the two countries to continue to increase cooperation, including during the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Of course this partnership is based on the principle of mutual benefit, mutual respect, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

During the meeting, Jokowi also conveyed the development progress in Papua. The former governor of DKI Jakarta also expressed his gratitude for New Zealand's support for Indonesia's territorial integrity.

Jokowi emphasized that respect for human rights has always been his concern, including in Papua. He also added that Papua's development was his priority.

"I am focusing, among other things, on infrastructure development in Papua so that Papua is connected to other parts of Indonesia, so that the Papuan people enjoy prosperity," he said.

It is known that a number of massive infrastructure developments that have been carried out include the Trans Papua Road with a length of 3,422 kilometers, the Papua Border Road with a length of 1,098 kilometers, and the Youtefa Bridge with a length of 1.3 kilometers. The infrastructure development began since the first administration of President Jokowi in 2015.

"I really hope that New Zealand can understand the development of Papua comprehensively," he said.

SOURCE: https://www.merdeka.com/events/di-front-menlu-selandia-baru-jokowi-sebut-pembinaan-papua-jadi-prioritas.html