Minister condemns North Korea’s tests

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato , pictured, has joined in the condemnation of North Korea for conducting missile tests last month.
He recently attended the ASEAN regional forum in the Philippines.
Pato encouraged all parties involved in the North Korean issue to exercise restraint, de-escalate tension and use dialogue to ensure peace, security and stability is maintained in the Asia Pacific region.
Pato was invited by the Philippines government to attend a meeting themed Partnering for change, engaging the world to discuss with member states issues in the ASEAN region.
Pato stressed the need to curb illegal unreported and unregulated fishing as it encouraged other transnational crimes such as people and drug smuggling.
He emphasised the need to eliminate harmful fishery subsidies which contribute to over fishing and over-capacity.
On the South China Sea issue, Pato said PNG was not taking sides on any territorial disputes but commended the positive progress made by the concerned parties on the Code of Conduct framework.
The ASEAN regional forum is an important primary political and security meeting which fosters peace and security, stability and prosperity in the region through open dialogue and action-oriented cooperation in the  region.