EU visas for PNG citizens to be processed in Port Moresby

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato made progress for Papua New Guinea and Pacific countries at the joint ministerial trade committee meeting of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU) in Brussels last week.
A key result was that EU visas for PNG citizens will be processed in Port Moresby by the middle of next year.
“That is welcome news for our exporter and importers, and our citizens in general,” Pato said.
“They will not need to go to Singapore, Manila or Australia at great expense to obtain their visas. Next year they will be able to obtain ‘Schengen’ visas in PNG. Those visas allow entry to most European countries.”
Pato spoke on critical issues associated with the World Trade Organisation that were faced by smaller, vulnerable ACP states.
He made key points on fisheries subsidies issues. Pato emphasised the need for special and differential treatment for developing ACP countries to support their fisheries development.
Pato urged EU to recognise the need of the Pacific and the ACP states to protect their exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
During a meeting with the co-chair of the meeting, Madam Cecilia Malmstrom, EU Trade Commissioner, Pato invited her to visit PNG on the margins of a proposed EU-PNG trade and investment roadshow, which she accepted.
Pato focussed on his role as co-negotiator – with Samoa – on behalf of the Pacific Island countries of ACP group with the EU.
Among the key issues discussed were the fishing industries and very importantly, the implementation of the economic partnership agreement between the EU and Pacific countries.