Japan-Papua New Guinea Relations
Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting
Photograph of the Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On Saturday, November 17, commencing at around 5:43 p.m., Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with the Hon. Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG), on the margins of APEC PNG for approximately 25 minutes. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. At the beginning, Prime Minister O’Neill welcomed Prime Minister Abe’s visit to PNG. He thanked Japan for providing various supports to PNG for its historic hosting of APEC, and stated that PNG values its strong friendship with Japan. Prime Minister Abe responded that he was pleased that APEC was being held under the leadership of Prime Minister O’Neill and that the dialogue between the leaders of Pacific Island countries and APEC members was an outstanding initiative
2. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would steadily implement the commitments announced at the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM8) towards the achievement of a free and open Indo-Pacific (PDF)
. In addition, Prime Minister Abe announced a range of supports for PNG, including economic cooperation in such areas as education, infrastructure, fire trucks, and the Bougainville referendum, as well as capacity building assistance by the Ministry of Defense of Japan, including support for the PNG Military Band for performing at APEC. Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his appreciation for Japan’s ongoing assistance.
3. The leaders shared the view that the two countries would work together towards stable cooperation between their companies for the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in PNG. Furthermore, the leaders shared the view regarding their continued cooperation for stable operations by Japanese fishing vessels and with the project to recover the remains of war dead.
4. The leaders also discussed North Korean issues. Prime Minister Abe requested the cooperation of PNG on the early resolution of the abductions issue, and Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his understanding and support for the matter.