Caption:Senior govt officials from Fiji & PNG at the meeting in Suva .Photo:SUPPLIED.
Senior Government officials from Fiji and Papua New Guinea are meeting in Suva to discuss ways in which the two countries can better manage their growing bilateral cooperation in the coming years.
This is the first senior officials meeting between the senior Government officials of both countries and follows on from the reciprocal visits of Prime Minister O’Neill to Suva in 2012 and Prime Minister Bainimarama to Port Moresby in 2013.
In their last meeting two years ago, the two Heads of Government expressed their commitment and acknowledgement of the close and mutually beneficial relationship existing between the two countries and agreed to an annual or biennial bilateral consultation between their respective senior officials to discuss important bilateral issues.
The discussions will center on developing a comprehensive Framework Agreement as a mechanism that will chart the way forward for enhancing regular and closer bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Other key issues to be discussed in the consultation will be the PNG government’s financial assistance to Fiji for elections and post elections works to the tune of K50million of which a first tranche of K25million has been made last year for election preparations.
The senior officials are also expected to discuss the MSG land development project currently taking shape in Muanikau of which a plot will be assigned to the PNG government for its chancery project.
The consultation ended on Friday February 27.
DEPTFO