National, B’ville govt in consultation

THE National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), in a joint statement, released the preamble of the third inter-government consultations in Port Moresby yesterday.
Both governments recognised that the third joint consultation was consistent with the requirements of Section 342 of the Constitution for both the National Government and the Bougainville government to consult on the results of the Referendum.
Both governments acknowledged that it was consistent with the supervisory body meeting of last March 12, and had since held two other joint consultations on the Bougainville Referendum results, the first at Kokopo, East New Britain, May 18, and the second in Wabag on July 6.
Prime Minister James Marape and President Ishmael Toroama both honoured the joint commitments to Kokopo and Wabag joint consultation statements and agreements and recognised the role of the post referendum consultation moderator Bertie Ahern.
Both men reaffirm the agreement to determining political settlement or independence no earlier than 2025 and no later than 2027 and that the joint post referendum roadmap was the guide to moving forward.