Envoys encourage Papua New Guineans to foster better friendship

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THREE heads of foreign missions have assured the Government and the people of Papua New Guinea that they will do their best when they take up their respective posts.
The three diplomats are retired judge Don Sawong as ambassador to China, former Secretary for Information and Communication Paulias Korni as high commissioner to India, and former Internal Revenue Commissioner Betty Palaso as ambassador to Philippines.
During a commissioning ceremony yesterday, Sawong said it was a privilege and honour to be appointed as ambassadors and high commissioner to the designated countries.
He said they would serve the interests of the people and Government of PNG in their capacity as heads of missions.
Sawong said they would enhance diplomatic and people-to-people relationships PNG had with the three countries.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato urged the three officers to strengthen the important partnerships and people-to-people relationships the Government and people of PNG had with their countries.
He said it was also important that the three heads-of-missions continued to enforce bilateral and trade relations and agreements PNG had with countries.
Pato said it was important that he and the two ambassadors and high commissioner enforced the Government’s foreign policy and enhanced the long and cordial diplomatic relations enjoyed.
He said he would be presenting a report to Cabinet of the ceremony.
The short ceremony was witnessed by Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing, Philippines Ambassador Bien V Tejano and Indian High Commissioner Vijai Kumar.