AUGUST 29 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today (August 29 2022) welcomed Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Penny Wong to Papua New Guinea.
He welcomed Minister Wong during a meeting with her and her delegation in his office in Port Moresby.
PM Marape was accompanied by Minister for International Trade and Investment Hon. Richard Maru.
“Welcome to Port Moresby and I look forward to seeing you on many more visits in the future,” PM Marape told Minister Wong.
He said that whether it was a Labour or Liberal Government, the bilateral relationship between Australia and PNG was always at an excellent level.
PM Marape said after 46 years, it was now time to diversify the relations to a more business and commercial one, and called for more trade and investment relations to make PNG less dependent on Australian and eventually phase out Australian Aid.
He said a secure and prosperous PNG would enable a safer region and a prosperous Australian economy.
PM Marape said increased people-to-people relations at all levels was vital and looked forward to an official visit to PNG by PM Albanese before the end of this year.
Minister Wong, in response, recognized the Marape Government’s strong desire to strengthen PNG’s economy and affirmed Australian Government support in assisting through its various development assistance programmes.
Minister Wong returns to Australia on Wednesday.
**
