Indonesia

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, said this meant that all officials, members and hierarchy of China and Indonesia can come into PNG through Visa on arrival.

He stated that this is what China is doing for PNG and what Indonesia is already doing in Indonesia.

The US Geological Survey said the magnitude-5.1 earthquake hit residential areas in Jayapura, near Papua's northern coast and was centred at a depth of 22 kilometres.

Shallow quakes often cause more damage on the Earth's surface.

"The residents were really panicked. I was in a car, and I felt like the car's wheels were lifted up," said Tri Asih, a resident of Jayapura, Papua's capital.

Officials said four people who were inside a floating restaurant died when the quake caused it to collapse into the sea on Thursday.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru made these remarks when meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Adriana Supandy in Port Moresby on Friday 20 January.

He said both countries must also look at having a sports relationship to build people-to-people relationship in addition to our students going to study in Indonesian Universities and Colleges.

“When I first took office last year, I made a bold statement that Indonesia will be the highest trade priority of Papua New Guinea in this term of parliament,” said Minister Maru.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru put the invitation to Indonesia Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Adriana Supandy. The meeting has been scheduled to take place this March in Jayapura, Indonesia.

This was mentioned during discussion on issues regarding West Papua. Both Ministers met in Bali, Indonesia when Minister Marsudi highlighted the need for respect and sovereignty as separate nations.

“Minister Marsudi spoke in detail thanking the PNG Government and Foreign Affairs Department for recognising the issue of West Papua as an internal Indonesian matter. They are a sovereign country and like PNG we respect and support Indonesia and its sovereignty. We will work with them to resolve any issue that may come up with West Papua in PNG,” Tkatchenko said.

This assistance will cover infrastructural development that should also elevate the economic corridor development concept as a major drive towards restructuring the PNG economy into a broad-based sustainable economy.

Prime Minister James Marape is currently in Indonesia to meet with the Indonesian President, President Joko Widodo to discuss these agendas.

He said it is an important bilateral relationship within the region that deserved attention and respect and is significant unlike other bilateral visits. 

Pastor Alberto John Bunai headed a press conference to deliver the statement by the group of Catholic leaders at the Bright World of Christ Parish in Waena, Jayapura city, Papua province.

He said there had been dozens of ideological and political conflicts between indigenous Papuans and the Indonesian government, and that these conflicts had triggered armed violence in Papua to this day.

Memoranda of understanding (MOU) were signed in counter-terrorism, defence and cybersecurity, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto added discussions took place over the possibility of Indonesian military cadets attending Australian academies, in what would be "a historic first".

The Indonesia trip, by Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton, was the first such ministerial visit from Australia since the start of the pandemic.

The multi-million dollar site is part of the government's plans to overhaul tourism in Komodo National Park.

The viral image has sparked questions about the impact on the conservation of the famed dragons, the world's largest lizards.

Officials said no dragons had been harmed and their safety was paramount.

Komodo dragons are only found in the wild on a handful of Indonesian islands where they are estimated to have roamed for millions of years.