Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Aussie FM to Visit PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji for Pacific Talks
This week, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy, will travel to the Pacific as Australia continues to strengthen ties with our nearest neighbours.
The Deputy Prime Minister will travel to Papua New Guinea to discuss the deepening defence ties between our two countries, and Australia’s support for PNG’s security priorities.
During the visit he will meet with Prime Minister the Hon James Marape MP, Deputy Prime Minister the Hon John Rosso MP, and Minister for Defense the Hon Dr Billy Joseph MP.
After travelling to PNG, the Deputy Prime Minister will join Minister Wong and Minister Conroy in the Republic of Vanuatu – building on our enduring partnership.
While in Vanuatu, they will meet Prime Minister, the Hon Jotham Napat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management the Hon Johnny Koanapo, and other senior ministers.
The Ministers will also travel to Tanna, the home island of Prime Minister Napat, to progress discussions on the proposed Nakamal Agreement – a bilateral initiative to elevate our partnership.
This visit builds on the increasing tempo of Ministerial exchanges and visits between Australia and Vanuatu in both directions over the past six months.
The Foreign Minister will then travel to the Republic of Fiji to attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers Meeting. As a founding member of the PIF, Australia strongly supports the Forum’s role in strengthening regional unity and pursuing our shared vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region.
As a Pacific nation, Australia is a partner the region can count on; it is in our interests to foster a resilient region that enables all our economies to grow and prosper together.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy:
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/visit-papua-new-guinea-vanuatu-and-pacific-islands-forum-foreign-ministers-meeting-fiji