Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko has emphasized the importance PNG places on its bilateral relationship with Australia, highlighting that this partnership should be founded on trust. This assurance was given during the conclusion of the 30th Australia PNG Ministerial Forum, at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising in the region due to China’s increasing presence across the Pacific.
Addressing media questions about PNG’s security relationship with China, Minister Tkatchenko stated, “China is a significant economic and trade partner for Papua New Guinea, just like Australia. We will continue to support and collaborate with Australia for our security now and in the future. We are independent, make our own decisions, and will continue to work with Australia as we have in the past and will in the future.”
Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong welcomed these remarks and reflected on the historical ties between PNG and Australia, particularly highlighting former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s role in PNG’s pre-independence era alongside Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. She remarked, “Prime Minister Whitlam once said that if his only political achievement was contributing to your independence, he would rest content. This forum honors the legacies of leaders like Whitlam and Somare. Our role is to deepen and continue that relationship, which is why we have brought such a senior delegation here.”
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described this year’s meeting as particularly productive. He said, “This has been a deeply fruitful meeting between close friends. There has never been greater ambition in the 49-year history of our bilateral relationship than now, with the Marape and Albanese governments aiming to transform our relationship to be much closer. Today’s meeting exemplified that ambition. The uniqueness of our relationship is reflected in the closeness of our ties. As Penny said, no other country has a similar forum where ministers across various sectors meet with their counterparts.”
The forum concluded yesterday, with the ministerial team scheduled for field visits today, including a visit to the landslide site at Mulitaka in Enga Province.
