Regarding management of the border area, Indonesia and Timor Leste have agreed to immediately complete (negotiations on) the two remaining land border segments this year, namely, the Noel Besi-Citrana and Bidjael Sunan Oben segments.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Timor Leste concurred on completing negotiations for the two remaining land border segments -- the Noel Besi-Citrana Segment and the Bidjael Sunan Oben Segment -- in 2023.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made the statement at a joint press conference with Prime Minister of Timor Leste Taur Matan Ruak at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, on Monday.

"Regarding management of the border area, Indonesia and Timor Leste have agreed to immediately complete (negotiations on) the two remaining land border segments this year, namely, the Noel Besi-Citrana and Bidjael Sunan Oben segments," Jokowi stated.

The head of state deems it important to complete land border negotiations to be able to commence the maritime border negotiations as well as to bolster development of the cross-border post (PLBN) in Oepoli, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province.

Furthermore, the Indonesian president welcomed the improvement in land connectivity between the two countries through the inaugural launch of the Kupang-Dili bus route, among others.

Jokowi also encouraged a reduction in sea transportation logistics costs for business activities.

The Timor Leste prime minister arrived at the Bogor Presidential Palace at 9:55 a.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB).

Before holding a bilateral meeting along with ministers of the two countries, President Jokowi invited Taur Matan Ruak to plant a sandalwood tree in the backyard of the Bogor Presidential Palace.

At the bilateral meeting, four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were inked by the two countries in the economy, education, and industry sectors.

Prime Minister Ruak's visit on Monday is his third official visit to Indonesia. He had earlier visited Indonesia as president of Timor Leste in 2014 and 2015.

Earlier, during a meeting with President of Timor Leste Jose Ramos-Horta on July 19, 2022, Jokowi had stated that Indonesia and Timor Leste agreed to strengthen the borders of the two countries and encourage the re-establishment of the Joint Border Committee.

"We have agreed to strengthen border development. I also encourage the Joint Border Committee to be resumed," the Indonesian president stated.

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Translator: Rangga Jingga, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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