Niue aims for more cooperation with Indonesia in fisheries and sustainable development

Niue is hoping for more cooperation with Indonesia in fisheries and sustainable development. 

Jakarta Post reports Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi signed joint communiques stating the establishment of diplomatic relations with Niue’s Premier Sir Toke Talagi and the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna and on the sidelines of the Pacific Exposition in Auckland, New Zealand last month.

Retno noted the trade relations Indonesia has with Niue had already grown to US$129.2 million last year from $52.5 million in 2017.

Meanwhile Australian think tank the Lowy Institute’s Director for Pacific Islands Program Jonathon Pryke told BCN News Indonesia has interests in the Pacific’s fisheries.

Indonesia’s engagement with the Pacific island countries has been a cause for concern  Pryke says given the contentious issue of the West Papua human rights abuses.

Pryke says it has caused division in the Pacific. The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are supportive of West Papua’s independence while Papua New Guinea has no stance on the issue along with Fiji and Australia.