PM thanks France for quake relief assistance

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has thanked France for a recent shipment of food to assist earthquake victims in the Highlands.
He expressed his appreciation to new French ambassador Philippe Janvier-Kamiyama in Port Moresby on Thursday.
“We thank the French government for the shipment of tuna, bully beef and rice delivered to Papua New Guinea on a French navy frigate,” he said.
“These food supplies are now being delivered to affected communities in the disaster area.
“France and PNG might be separated by a great distance, but this gesture is a demonstration of the closeness of our relationship.”
O’Neill said the engagement between Papua New Guinea and France continued to grow as the construction phase of the Papua LNG project drew near. “Our Government is working with French company Total S.A. and other partners to advance Papua New Guinea’s next major gas project,” the prime minister said.
“This project will inject billions of dollars into our economy and employ and train thousands of Papua New Guineans.
“All parties will continue to advance the Papua LNG project and create new jobs for our people.”
O’Neill welcomed Janvier-Kamiyama and wished him success during his term in Papua New Guinea.
“I hope his contribution further increases trade and investment between our countries, and that he also has the opportunity to travel throughout PNG and have good experiences in our country.”