Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have agreed to increase bilateral cooperation, the two countries` heads of state said ahead of their meeting here on Monday.

The bilateral meeting was part of the agenda of the current visit of Papua New Guinea`s prime minister O`Neill to Indonesia.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono considered the state visit of the PNG prime minister this time very significant for developing and increasing the cooperation between the two countries following the meetings before in Honolulu and in the Bali Democracy Forum last year.

"This visit is very important not only for the two countries` bilateral relations but also for increasing and strengthening our relations and partnership. We have agreed to work more and seek more opportunities and comprehensive partnership," he said.

Prime Minister O`Neill meanwhile said he was glad over the warn welcome that had been given to him and his delegation.

He said as close neighbors PNG and Indonesia could continue to develop their cooperation wider.

PM O`Neill flanked by his wife made a state visit to Indonesia after a meeting with President Yudhoyono in Bali in 2012.

The two countries` delegations are also scheduled to conduct bilateral talks and cooperation agreements would also be signed during the PNG prime minister`s visit.

reporting by m arif iskandar
(H-YH/A014)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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