New hope for Papuans

+ Enlarge this image

Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman, left, with his counterpart and chairman of the MSG Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama at the Vale ni Bose complex. Picture: ATU RASEA

INDONESIA is willing to discuss the "Papua" issue with the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs Minister, Don Polye, while addressing the leaders yesterday, said his country welcomed this statement which was made at the forum ministers meeting on Tuesday.

The people of Papua are seeking secession from Indonesia.

"PNG welcomes this as since 1984 we have been formally engaged with Indonesia on our bilateral relations, the common land and sea border we share and in two months time, we will be hosting a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee with Indonesia," Mr Polye said.

"A relationship that began with mutual suspicion has now evolved into a vibrant exchange on trade, commercial, economic, social, cultural and including traditional border dweller issues which are being discussed, deliberated and decisions taken by mutual agreement, annually under the framework of our Treaty of Mutual Respect, Friendship and Cooperation and the Basic Border Agreement with Indonesia."

Meanwhile, Mr Polye again reminded the MSG of the reason of its existence.

"FLNKS membership, while not a country bears witness to this and is a constant reminder of why we must remain vigilant on the road to 2014 when the referendum is held under the Noumea Accord," Mr Polye said.

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/