Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko has announced a K6 million allocation in the 2023 Budget for the refurbishment of Papua New Guinea’s Embassy office and all its state owned properties in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Minister Tkatchenko upon his arrival in Jakarta on Saturday told staff that Indonesia was among the first of four foreign missions that the government had
approved for renovation and refurbishment.
“I look forward in renovating the properties, getting them back to a modern standard as the Republic of Indonesia is an important diplomatic partner to Papua New Guinea,” Minister Tkatchenko said.
While on his way to Bali, Indonesia for the Pacific Forum for Development, Minister Tkatchenko visited the embassy office and all state owned properties in Jakarta.
Minister Tkatchenko said the government was resolute in its commitment to transform all missions abroad and this was demonstrated by tripling the budget
for The Department of Foreign Affairs to K120 million for 2023 making this the biggest allocation ever received by the Department.
Minister Tkatchenko emphasized the refurbishment work needed for all the country’s missions abroad, including Indonesia was long overdue.
“You will see Jakarta raised from the ashes, being taken to a next level.”
“We have secured K6m for the refurbishment of this office as well as all the properties in Jakarta starting in the first quarter of next year,” Minister Tkatchenko said.
Minister Tkatchenko added that apart from the renovation work, an official appointment for a permanent Papua New Guinea Ambassador to Indonesia has been prioritized.
“Foreign Affairs used to be the premier department, but over the last 15 to 25 years, it had gone down, not enough input, commitment, responsibility and loyalty.”
“That’s all now going to change, with the government backing me all the way, we look forward for a new relationship with the Republic of Indonesia, going forward in Defence, Agriculture, Security as we share the biggest border taking our relationship to a level where it has never been before.”
“I will be working closely with your Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi, whom I’ve known for about six years in one my previous ministerial capacities as APEC Minister.”
“I’m looking forward to strengthening the relationship with Indonesia and making sure that we are all working tougher on the same level, especially when it comes to Defence.”
Minister Tkatchenko added that apart from the renovation work, an official appointment for a permanent Papua New Guinea Ambassador to Indonesia has been prioritized.
“We are now going to move forward in signing a Defence Corporation Agreement between PNG and Indonesia, sharing the security on the borders together, working tougher and partnering together.”
“For me I will not take no for an answer, we are going to get things done in a big way.”
“All the problems that you have had in the past, I would hope by the end of next year all those would have been addressed.”
“I look forward in renovating all the properties, getting them back to a class standard, renovating the embassy office to show everybody that Indonesia is a prime location,” Minister Tkatchenko said.
Meanwhile, as per an official invitation from Prime Minister James Marape, Papua New Guinea is preparing for an Official State Visit of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo next year.
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