Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is confident that the relationship between New Caledonia and PNG will improve and be taken to the next level.
PM O’Neill made this statement after meeting with the President of New Caledonia, Phillipe Germain, on Tuesday.
President Germain and his delegation left the country this afternoon after his three-day official visit.
PM O’Neill, when welcoming President Germain and his delegation on Tuesday, said both countries must create new pathways for economic cooperation in trade and investment, business, economic co-operation, capacity building.
He said partnership in important social and cultural areas and people-to-people links are vital to enhance friendship.
He added that in regional and international engagement, PNG will work closely with New Caledonia and France in areas of regional and international cooperation.
He reiterated that PNG will work together through international forums including the United Nations, and of course the Pacific Islands Forum, particularly in areas such as climate change.
Furthermore, with PNG hosting APEC this year, the Summit will be very pacific to allow leading economies of the Asia Pacific to engage more closely with the Pacific.
He said APEC members account for more than half of the world’s GDP and trade and it is vital that other Pacific island neighbours enhance the engagement with the APEC economies.
He therefore invites Pacific Island leaders to participate in the APEC Summit program in November.