JULY 16 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji. Hon. Voreqe Josaia Bainimarama on the margins of the 51st Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji.
PM Bainimarama thanked PM Minister Marape for making time to attend the PIF saying it showed his commitment and cause to the wider regional family.
PM Bainimarama also congratulated PM Marape on his re-election as the
Member for Tari-Pori in this year’s PNG National General Elections.
PM Bainimarama congratulated PM Marape for successfully handing over the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Chair to Vanuatu. He reiterated what he mentioned in the Special MSG Leaders’ Summit that sub-regional arrangements like the MSG Free Trade Agreement could assist in strengthening economic recovery efforts.
PM Marape conveyed his appreciation to PM Bainimarama for hosting him and his delegation for this 51st PIF.
He reassured PM Bainimarama of his full support in the face of several challenges to the region, including climate change.
PM Marape maintained that the bilateral relations between PNG and Fiji extended from a long and rich history and commented that there was a noted growing amount of PNG investments in Fiji and looked forward to seeing this part of the bilateral relationship grow.
In reference to the Suva Agreement, PM Marape raised his concern at the withdrawal of Kiribati from the PIF and enquired as to the number of members that have signed on to the agreement.
PM Bainimarama informed that most Forum Leaders had signed onto the Suva Agreement except for PNG, Kiribati and Nauru. Nauru had requested to sign the document last, given the spread of COVID-19 pandemic on the island and the lock- in place.
He said the Suva Agreement would address the political impasse currently between the Forum Leaders and the Micronesian member states.
In this regard, PM Marape re-affirmed to regional solidarity, assured PM Bainimarama of PNG’s support and signed the Suva Agreement in the meeting.
—III—
