RI-PNG Relations Get Stronger Through Culture

Jayapura, Papua, June 17 (Antara) - Cultural similarity between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea has made the two countries` relations getting stronger, an official has said. "Through the cultural similarity, the relations between the two countries which share land boundary will get even stronger in the future," expert staff for political and security affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wiwiek S Firman said here on Monday. According to her, the cultural similarity is the asset that the two countries have to preserve to strengthen their relations and to solve any problem that arises in the community. Wiwiek made the statement referring to the Betel Nut Eating Festival, organized by Indonesian Consulate General Office in Vanimo, PNG, at the border market in Kskouw on Saturday. She noted that similar cultural events should continue to be held at the border in order to strengthen the relations between the people of Indonesia and PNG. "Culture has universal value and with it we can overcome all differences," Wiwiek said. Meanwhile, Indonesian Consul General for Vanimo Jahar Gultom expressed hope that with the stronger relations, every problem that may arise among the people of the two countries at the border can be solved through cultural means. "Relations between the people of Indonesia and PNG, especially those at the border area, are getting better," Gultom said.