According to Marty, the PNG government had accepted Indonesia`s clarification that the interception had happened because of a technical problem.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Papua New Guinea (PNG) government has accepted Indonesia`s explanations on the November 29, 2011 mid-air incident involving their aircraft and the matter has been settled, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said.
"We gave our explanation in a letter to the PNG foreign affairs minister and we have received their response to our explanation," Marty said here Monday.
The incident took place when a private jet carrying PNG Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah who was returning from an official visit to Malaysia entered Indonesian airspace.
The jet was reportedly intercepted by two Indonesian Air Force Sukhoi aircraft intending to check on the jet`s permission to fly through Indonesian airspace. The action angered the PNG government which threatened to cut off diplomatic ties with Indonesia.
According to Marty, the PNG government had accepted Indonesia`s clarification that the interception had happened because of a technical problem.
Therefore, there was no need for severance of diplomatic relations over the matter, he said.
"Indonesia and PNG have always had close bilateral relations. There is no problem with the PNG because we have close and friendly relations," Marty said.
Marty also denied that the PNG government had threatened to expel the Indonesian ambassador to PNG as reported previously.
"We consider this issue as over. They understand that it was all solely caused by a technical problem," said Marty.
Relations between the two countries had remained very close despite the ongoing political dynamics in PNG, he said.
"Whatever is happening in PNG`s political constellation is not affecting our close relationship," Marty said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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