Marape warns envoys about protocol

PRIME Minister James Marape has reminded members of the diplomatic corps to observe protocol by going through formal diplomatic channels of communication.
He said this would be through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the first instance when engaging in any official government business.
He met the heads of missions and representatives of international organisations from Australia, Japan, China, Philippines, European Union and the United Nations Development Programme at Sir Manasupe Haus. He said he would be the last person to see after the Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Soroi Eoe, who he introduced to them yesterday.
Marape informed them that his Government’s priorities would not shift much from that of the O’Neill-led government.
But to strengthen relations with development partners and to effectively deliver on the priorities, he planned to strengthen Government systems and processes, and restoring integrity in the Government system to ensure a strong, reliant, transparent and honest public service.
He advised them of the shifting of the trade policy function back to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Marape wants to see the diversification of the economic base by economically empowering Papua New Guineans.
“We will be focusing on agriculture, downstream processing and culture and tourism,” he said.
Marape also mentioned the importance his Government gave to the Bougainville referendum process.