Justin Tkatchenko

Namah is the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Immigrations and Defence and takes this stance on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea.

Minister Tkatchenko is reported to have told the ABC Pacific Beat that Papua New Guineans who responded furiously to a TikTok video posted by his daughter Savannah were “useless people” and “primitive animals”.

apart from attending the Boao Forum for Asia met with His Excellency, Qin Gang, State Counselor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on 30 March 2023 in Boao, Hainan Province, China.  

Tkatchenko took the opportunity to inform his Chinese counterpart of the PNG Government’s decision to close the PNG Trade Representative Office in Taiwan as a cost-saving measure rather than a geopolitical one as some external powers in the region may make it out to be.

PNG Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko had the opportunity to inform his counterpart Indonesia Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno Marsudi on the ratification of the long outstanding bilateral arrangements between the two countries from the PNG side.

He also spoke on the Basic Border Agreement signed in 2013, the Visa Waiver Agreement signed in 2015 and the PNG NEC approval of the PNG/Indonesia Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The long outstanding Border Agreement was reviewed three times with the latest review in 2013. Minister Tkatchenko on Wednesday 15th of March Parliament sitting, successfully rectified the process.

The ratification will pave the way for both governments to review the current status of the border and constructively address outstanding issues that affect both countries.

Secretary Elias Wohengu confirmed that they should be able to see this complete by April.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko stated that the Secretary for Foreign Affairs with the Chief Secretary for Papua New Guinea are leading all negotiations and documentation for the security treaty with Australia.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, stated that Health Minister, Dr Lino Tom, will be a part of the bilateral discussion when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in PNG.

Tkatchenko stated that India is one of the biggest producers of medicine and chemicals in the world and PNG need to discuss on working directly with manufacturers for the benefit of supplying good quality medicine for the people.

The burning down of the School administration block in the early hours of Sunday morning have brought Police investigations and several people to question.

Upon visiting the school, Mr Tkatchenko mentioned that this will be the third time that a school property had been burnt down.

“We must all be accountable for what is going on here. This is no joke anymore. This building probably had a lot of historical value. It all comes down to management and leadership.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, said this meant that all officials, members and hierarchy of China and Indonesia can come into PNG through Visa on arrival.

He stated that this is what China is doing for PNG and what Indonesia is already doing in Indonesia.

Marape went on to commend the working partnership between Minister Tkatchenko and the Governor for NCD, in improving the livelihood of residents in Moresby South Electorate.

“I want to appreciate the level of clarity Moresby South brings to the table in as far as what an achievable outcome in the space of next five years within the context of vision 2050 for our nation’s prosperity,” said the Prime Minister.

The encounter was prior to the Special Leaders' Retreat where Minister Tkatchenko offered PNG's support to New Zealand following the extreme disaster caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We will send our PNGDF to support New Zealand with clean up exercises, if required,” said Minister Tkatchenko.

Sepuloni acknowledged PNG's offer of support and said; “New Zealand is used to offering support to other Pacific Island countries in times of need and to receive that in return is indeed overwhelming.”