PAPUA NEW GUINEA-AUSTRALIA BILATERAL MEETING HELD AT ALOTAU INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
10 July 2010
Australian Government News
English
CANBERRA, ACT, July 8-- The Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Trade issued the following media briefing:
1. The Papua New Guinea-Australia Bilateral Meeting was held at the Alotau International Hotel in Alotau, Milne Bay Province from 7 - 8 July 2010.
2. Hon. Samuel T. Abal, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, led the Papua New Guinea delegation that included the Hon. Paul Tiensten, Minister for National Planning and District Development, the Hon. Arthur Somare, Minister for State Enterprises and Acting Minister for Treasury, the Hon. Peter O'Neill, Minister for Public Service, the Hon. Ano Pala, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, the Hon. Sani Rambi, Minister for Internal Security, the Hon. Sasa Zibe, Minister for Health, the Hon. Michael Ogio, Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology, Hon. Charles Abel, Minister for Culture and Tourism, and the Hon. Benny Allen, Minister for Environment and Conservation.
3. The Hon. Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the Australian delegation, which included Assistant Treasurer the Hon. Senator Nick Sherry, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance the Hon. Bob McMullan, and senior officials.
4. In his opening remarks, Hon. Samuel T. Abal welcomed Hon. Stephen Smith and members of the Australian delegation to the Papua New Guinea-Australia Bilateral Meeting held in Alotau, on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
5. He congratulated Mr Smith on being assigned responsibility for the Trade Portfolio and wished him well in the role. He further reiterated his confidence in the Australian Government's continuing commitment to the bilateral relationship. He congratulated Australia on the appointment of Prime Minister Gillard.
6. Mr Abal recalled the close historical ties and relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia, based on geographical proximity, common history and the development partnership. He underlined his commitment to maintaining the good relationship between the two neighbours.
7. Mr Smith thanked Mr Abal for the warm welcome for the Australian delegation and noted his pleasure at attending the meeting in Alotau, a place of special historical and military significance for Australia. Mr Smith noted the many positive developments in the bilateral relationship since the Port Moresby Declaration and the successful Ministerial Forums held in Madang and Brisbane in 2008 and 2009.
8. Mr Smith agreed with Mr Abal that the bilateral relationship was at a turning point. This was reflected by the opportunities presented by the Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas project, on which cooperation was already advanced, and the recently presented recommendations from the Review of the Development Cooperation Treaty....
FIJI
48. Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to working together to help Fiji return to democracy and the rule of law.
49. Ministers expressed grave concern about the continuing deteriorating economic and political condition in Fiji.
Ministers noted that the Fiji interim government had taken actions further to limit free speech, and deny Fiji's people their human and democratic rights.
Ministers reaffirmed their support for Pacific Islands Forum Leaders', and for Commonwealth Heads of Governments' suspensions of Fiji.
Ministers urged the Fiji interim government to take concrete measures to return to democracy and the rule of law.
