Prime Minister Peter O’Neill received the new High Commissioner of Australia to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davies, on Thursday where he presented his credentials.
PM O’Neill welcomed the new High Commissioner on behalf of the Government.
“We look forward to working with the new High Commissioner from Australia and building on our bilateral relationship,” the Prime Minister said following the meeting.
“High Commissioner Davis is no stranger to Papua New Guinea and his past experience will be most beneficial in his new role.
“I am also very pleased to hear that High Commissioner Davis will be undertaking a great deal of travel around Papua New Guinea and engaging with our people.”
The Prime Minister said while the two countries will have differences of opinion on occasion, the relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia is warm and genuine.
“One of the most important elements in the relationship between two countries is that we are able to communicate in an open and frank manner.
“I am confident that High Commissioner Davis will engage effectively with senior officials in the Government of Papua New Guinea, and this will be for the benefit of both countries.
“There are many areas where we will continue to strengthen our relationship through both economic and cultural engagement.
“Investment from Australia into Papua New Guinea continues to grow and two-way trade is expected to expand.
“Many students from Papua New Guinea continue to study in Australia, and I would like to see more Australians come for periods of study in our universities and colleges.”
PM O’Neill said Papua New Guinea and Australia continue to work closely together on global issues that affect people around our region.
“Climate change poses a significant threat to millions of people in our two countries and around the Pacific.
“We continue to work on these issues with Australia at the multilateral level through the Pacific Islands Forum and other processes such as UN climate negotiations.
“At COP-21 recently in Paris, Australia also proposed important programs to address climate change in our region and I know our officials are looking forward to moving ahead in this area.
“I wish High Commissioner Davis every success as our countries work together on these and other areas of significant bilateral importance.”