PRESIDENT CONCLUDES VISIT TO PNG

Port Moresby, Mar 12 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono concluded his state visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and returned to Jakarta Friday afternoon.

At 10.40 am local time the presidential airliner Garuda Airbus A330, with the President left Jackson International airport after a two-day state visit on March 11 and 12.

During the visit, President Yudhoyono had a bilateral meeting with PNG Prime Minister Michael T Somare.

The Indonesian head of state accompanied by cabinet ministers, also during the President's visit to Australia, including Minister Coordinating the Economy Hatta Rajasa, Minister Coordinating Political and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Trade Minister Marie Pangestu, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Agriculture Minister Suswono and State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Andi Malarangeng.

Also accompanying the President during his meeting in the PNG were six governors of East Indonesia provinces Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu, West Papua Governor Bram Ataruri, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zainu Majdi, Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika, dand Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu.

A number of issues discussed by the two governments included border security, forestry, agricultural and trade cooperation.

Indonesia and the PNG have very strategic relations since the two countries share a border which is prone to irregularities, which have been successfully handled by the joint border committee each year.

On March 8 to 11, the President made a state visit to Australia and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, parliament members and businessmen.

In the meeting with Rudd a cooperation agreement was signed and joint statement on arrangement of consular notification and consular assistances.