PNG to boost ties wth Fiji

By Ana Madigibuli

Fiji Times

Monday, October 22, 2012

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter ONeill at the launch at the Pearl Hotel in Pacific Harbour. Picture: ATU RASEA

PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says PNG is looking to further strengthen its current trade arrangements, including areas of labour mobility.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said commercial investments by Fijian companies have also increased, likewise by PNG companies in Fiji. This, he said, continued to strengthen the economies of both countries.
Mr O'Neill also commended Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama for the progress made in the rewriting of the constitution and preparation for the election in 2014.
He said when he met Commodore Bainimarama in September last year, he had made it clear that issues confronting the people of Fiji are best left to the Fijian themselves to resolve.
"I am pleased with the progress made so far and I have assured the Prime Minister that the Papua New Guinea government stands ready to support in whatever capacity in this regard," Mr O'Neill said.
"Our two countries established formal diplomatic ties 37 years ago, but religious and people-to-people links were established long before that. Today, our relation has been enhanced further in the areas of commerce, trade and technical cooperation."
He said the two countries co-operate at the regional level and global front on issues such as climate change, food security, poverty alleviation, gender equality and education.