Israeli PM to visit PNG

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted Prime Minister James Marape’s invitation to visit Papua New Guinea soon.
During the opening of the new Papua New Guinea embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, Netanyahu said PNG was the first Asia-Pacific country to open its embassy in Jerusalem, and was proud of the bold step it had taken.
“This will only enable us to cherish the past and also seize the future.
“I’m impressed by the great potential that you have and you are building Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“Papua New Guinea is a big country with big opportunities and I think that the fact that you have an embassy here will enable us to realise all your potential in agriculture, water, technology, health and enterprise.
“And I look forward to visiting your country soon.
“I hope very much that we can see Israeli entrepreneurs, experts and tourists visiting Papua New Guinea.
“And one of these tourists, I hope in the near future, will be me.”
Marape said he was looking forward to the visit to PNG.
PNG is reciprocating by providing a piece of land in Port Moresby to have Israel build its diplomatic mission. Meanwhile, a bilateral meeting at Netanyahu’s office affirmed all matters agreed in an earlier meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
“I am happy to announce that at the meeting, the Israeli Prime
Minister Netanyahu has affirmed his foreign minister’s earlier statement in the area of technology, capacity building and direct private sector investment in PNG,” Marape said.