Forum brings up bilateral issues for PNG, Aust

By DALE LUMA
THE 27th Papua New Guinea-Australia ministerial forum should bring about tangible and visible outcomes for the two countries and their people, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Soroi Eoi says.
Eoi told the forum in Port Moresby yesterday that initial discussions between the two countries identified some issues and they should build on those discussions to look for solutions.
“Current issues like economic diversification, security challenges, border and maritime control and smooth facilitation of work and travel arrangement between our two countries are just some issues or challenges that our two prime ministers have identified during the inaugural PNG and Australia leadership dialogue last month in Australia,” Eoi said.
“Noting an ambition of heightened level of partnership envisioned and agreed to by our two prime ministers late last month, we must look at more coordinated and structured approaches in this partnership.
“We must have comprehensive, strategic and economic partnership discussing ongoing issues of mutual interest and challenges and the exciting opportunities for both countries.
“This body, the ministerial forum, acting on recommendations set by inaugural leaders’ dialogue and senior officers meeting, must collaborate, agree and set up clear and pragmatic paths for this new, advanced partnership to follow.
“In order to move forward in an elevated status, we must reassess, take stock and comprehensively review all bilateral treaties and arrangements concluded by our two countries.
“This will in no doubt enable us to have a sense of appreciation of what has worked and what has needs to be improved on to make this new partnership as truly comprehensive in every sense of its meaning. “