The ministry's Director of Pacific and Oceania Affairs Adi Dzulfuat remarked here on Monday that Indonesia's cooperation with Pacific countries also covers several aspects and is not solely restricted to Papua and security issues.
"We want to contribute (to the region) because Indonesia is part of the big Pacific family," Dzulfuat remarked.
He explained that the country is eager to contribute more in various sectors to support people's welfare in Indonesia and the Pacific.
"We want to improve relations so that countries in the Pacific region can trust Indonesia as a reliable partner," he remarked.
He affirmed that Indonesia has strengthened its relation with Pacific countries through partnerships, grants, and development projects.
"Our cooperation has strengthened because Indonesia built a stadium in the Solomon Islands, public facilities such as a fire department in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and renovated a school in Wutung, PNG," he highlighted.
He is upbeat that by strengthening cooperation, the perception of people in the Pacific region about Indonesia would improve, especially on issues related to sovereignty.
Earlier, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) took along several native Papuan students on a goodwill and diplomatic voyage to four countries in the South Pacific region: Fiji, Solomon Island, Vanuatu, and PNG.
The voyage began on October 9 and will come to an end on October 25, 2024.
This goodwill voyage aims to build mutual trust between countries and explore cooperation between the TNI AL and the navies of the four destination countries.
Translator: Yudhi E, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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