Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir sought to strengthen cooperation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu, through bilateral meetings during the MSG Ministerial Meeting on Friday.

"These meetings aim to affirm President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to strengthening relations with MSG countries through concrete cooperation programs that can answer the development needs in the Pacific region," Nasir said, according to a ministry statement issued here on Saturday.

As per the statement, the bilateral meetings were a follow-up to President Prabowo's previous meetings with several prime ministers of MSG member countries.

During his inauguration as the President in October in Jakarta, Prabowo met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

Meanwhile, at the meeting with the MSG countries, Nasir discussed such issues as development, health, education, and mitigation of climate change impacts.

During a meeting with the foreign secretary of Papua New Guinea, Elias Wohengu, Nasir talked about the importance of exploring wider market access opportunities for the export of superior products such as vanilla and cocoa.

The two sides also agreed to accelerate the implementation of joint feasibility studies to increase trade volume.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with the special envoy of the Prime Minister of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Nasir highlighted the momentum of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia-Fiji diplomatic relations and the completion of the preferential trade agreement (PTA).

Furthermore, Nasir reaffirmed Prabowo's commitment to increasing Indonesia-Vanuatu cooperation in several priority areas such as strengthening the health system, education, and law enforcement in Vanuatu.

Finally, at the meeting with the director general of MSG Secretariat, Leonard Louma, Nasir reiterated Indonesia's commitment to strengthening the capacity of the MSG Secretariat staff and exploring cooperation with ASEAN.

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Translator: Asri S, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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