PNG vows to be active in group

PAPUA New Guinea has assured the African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) group of nations that it will continue to play an active role in its affairs.
The assurance was relayed by Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Richard Maru who is attending an ACP ministerial meeting in Chad.
He discussed with ACP Secretary-General Dr Patrick Gomes PNG’s role in the ACP-EU post-Cotonou negotiations.
The Cotonou agreement is a treaty between the European Union and the ACP countries signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin.
Gomes appreciated PNG’s active participation through its Ambassador in Brussels Joshua Kalinoe, Maru and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill as the current chairman of the ACP Summit.
He told Maru that Kalinoe had been nominated by the Pacific region to be the next chair of the Committee of Ambassadors.
He will take over as chairman in July for a period of six months.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rimbink Pato will also chair of the Council of Ministers.
Maru thanked Gomes for his confidence in PNG’s involvement in advancing the interests of the ACP Group.