Japan-PNG (Independent State of Papua New Guinea) Foreign Ministerial Meeting

February 18, 2009
Japanese

On February 18 (Fri), Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, had a foreign ministerial meeting with Mr. Samuel Abal, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG). It started at 2:45 p.m. and lasted about 30 minutes. The summary of the meeting is as follows.

Bilateral Relations

(1) Overview
At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Nakasone welcomed Mr. Abal’s first visit to Japan and said that PNG was Japan’s important partner in terms of fishery resources, energy and the like. In response, Mr. Abal referred to the close relationship between PNG and Japan since the foundation of PNG in 1975 and expressed his gratitude for Japan’s economic cooperation in infrastructure and other fields.

(2) Economic Relations
Referring to the recent LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) development in PNG, Mr. Abal expressed his hope that PNG would conclude a bilateral investment agreement with Japan. In response, Mr. Nakasone expressed his expectation that the LNG development project currently under way would contribute to a long-term stable energy supply for Japan and proposed holding an officials’ meeting on improving the investment environment.
Fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 5) and Climate Change

(1) Mr. Nakasone said that Japan would host the PALM 5 next May in Hokkaido and would welcome Prime Minister Michael Somare’s participation in the Meeting. Responding that the prime minister was looking forward to participating in the Meeting, Mr. Abal said that among the themes that should be discussed in the PALM 5 were environment and climate change as they were common concerns of the pacific island countries.

(2) Mr. Nakasone expressed his gratitude for PNG’s support for Japan’s “Cool Earth Promotion Programme,” and said that it was essential for all countries to address climate change according to their responsibilities and abilities. Mr. Abal fully agreed with Mr. Nakasone’s view, saying that it was important for each country to make its own efforts to tackle climate change.
Situation in the Republic of the Fiji Islands
Mr. Abal briefed on the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)’s efforts for the democratization of Fiji. Mr. Nakasone appreciated Prime Minister Somare’s leadership in the issue and said that hoping for the democratization of Fiji, Japan would keep an eye on the progress of the PIF Process.
United Nations Reform
Mr. Nakasone expressed his gratitude for PNG’s support for Japan’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and also expressed his hope that Japan would cooperate closely with PNG in the UN Reform.

(END)

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