Govt calls for regional approach

 THE Government has called for a regional approach by the Pacific Islands Parties to find a way forward following the United States withdrawal from a multilateral fisheries treaty.

Director of the International Relations Unit in the Department of Prime Minister Frank Aisi said it was consistent with the framework for Pacific regionalism. 

A special meeting is being convened in Nadi, Fiji, to discuss a way forward following the US withdrawal. 

He said the Pacific Islands Form leaders’ meetings had maintained the importance of the region’s fishery. This was subsequently emphasised during a recent special forum fisheries committee ministerial meeting held in Denarau, Fiji, last year. 

“As current chair of the forum, Papua New Guinea considers these decisions as paramount to the continued active engagement with the United States,” he said. “The importance of our discussions and decision cannot be understated. 

“Papua New Guinea has been at the forefront of the US Treaty negotiations and continues to attach special significance to the treaty and its strategic value and the continued active engagement with the US.” 

The withdrawal by the United States Government from the Treaty on Fisheries was effective from January 27.

Views of the PIPs will be gauged before the presentation of a formal and constructive regional position is made to the US Government by Prime Minister  Peter O’Neill.