Japan-Papua New Guinea Relations
Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On May 21, commencing at 11:35 a.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting over lunch with Hon. Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, who is visiting Japan to attend the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7). The outline is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe expressed his delight to meet again with Prime Minister O’Neill, and expressed anew his gratitude for the support extended by Papua New Guinea at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prime Minister Abe stated that he wished to work together with Prime Minister O’Neill for the success of PALM7, this time being held in a disaster-affected area, and to build a new partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island countries. Prime Minister Abe also extended his invitation for Prime Minister O’Neill and his spouse to Japan this year marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea.
2. In response, Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his hope for the success of the PALM7, and his commitment to working together to this end. Prime Minister O’Neill also thanked Prime Minister Abe for the invitation to Japan, and indicated his intention to make this year of the 40th anniversary an opportunity to further strengthen the relations with Japan, noting Japan’s contribution to the regional and international communities as a peace-loving nation. 3. Prime Minister Abe also mentioned the possibility of support for an airport construction via a yen loan of approximately 27 billion yen, and conveyed his intention to implement approximately 300 million yen of grant aid for disaster-reduction measures. In response, Prime Minister O’Neill expressed thanks for Japan’s continuous support, and indicated his determination to utilize assistance from Japan for further development of Papua New Guinea.
4. Prime Minister Abe requested cooperation on Japan’s proposal to the United Nations regarding a World Tsunami Day, to which Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his support. The two leaders exchanged views on the bilateral relations including investment and people-to-people exchanges, and on issues and cooperation in the international community such as climate change and the United Nations Security Council reform.