Sir Michael Begins His Bilateral Meetings
 

FOR RELEASE – SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2003
ISTANA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, SINGAPORE: Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, yesterday (Friday 17/10/03) conducted the first of his scheduled bilateral discussions when he met with his Singaporean counterpart, H.E. Mr Goh Chok Tong in Singapore.

Sir Michael arrived in Singapore on Thursday night en route to the 11th APEC Leaders’ Summit in Bangkok, Thailand from 20-21 October 2003.

The two leaders met for an hour, discussing issues of mutual interest to both countries.

Sir Michael said that his Singaporean counterpart had expressed his country’s keenness to share ideas with PNG in the areas of privatisation and information technology, as well as making available personnel and technical expertise in the areas of finance and business.

“Because of Singapore’s profound advances in information technology, Prime Minister Tong has offered to talk to his Foreign Affairs officials to formalise arrangements to allow their experts to train Papua New Guineans in this area,” Sir Michael said.

The Prime Minister will depart Singapore for Bangkok this afternoon (Saturday 18/10/03). Upon arrival there today, he is expected to meet with the Thai Minister for Defence, General Thammarak Isarangura, before he holds bilateral discussions with the Thai Prime Minister.

In the evening, the PNG Honorary Consul in Thailand, Mr Chavarat Charnvirakul, will host a reception in honour of the PNG Prime Minister. Sir Michael will then proceed to have dinner with selected Thai business leaders.

On Sunday, Sir Michael will visit selected Royalty-initiated projects in Petchaburi Province.

In the afternoon, he will meet with H.E. Mr Hu Jintao, the President of the People’s Republic of China.

The APEC Leaders’ meeting proper begins on Monday (20/10/03).

M T SOMARE GCMG CH
Prime Minister

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare

CHINESE PRESIDENT MEETS WITH SIR MICHAEL, THANKS PNG FOR 'ONE CHINA' POLICY
 

FOR RELEASE - 19 OCTOBER 2003

SHANGRILA HOTEL, BANGKOK: The President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mr Hu Jintao, has again thanked Papua New Guinea for its 'One China' policy.

Sir Michael today reaffirmed this long-standing policy when both leaders held bilateral discussions here, ahead of the APEC Leaders' Summit beginning tomorrow. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Foreign Affairs & Immigration Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu.

"I reaffirmed our strong adherence to the "One China Policy", which President Jintao acknowledged. The President also said that China recognises PNG's position to continue to pursue and foster its investment and trade relations with Taiwan," Sir Michael said.

The two leaders also discussed on PNG's oil and gas resources.

"President Jintao undertook to instruct the relevant Chinese agencies to study closely and work in partnership with PNG to develop these resources," Sir Michael said.

Petroleum & Gas Minister, Sir Moi Avei is currently in China talking to the Chinese gas and petroleum industry people.

Sir Michael also thanked the Chinese President for the hospitality that was accorded to Governor-General, Sir Silas Atopare, during his recent visit to China.

Sir Silas and President Jintao discussed economic and trade issues during that visit.

"The President and I look forward to having further discussions on economic and trade cooperation when I visit China next year," Sir Michael said.
Sir Michael also met with his Thai counterpart, H.E. Mr Thaksin Shinawtra, yesterday, soon after arriving from Singapore. He earlier met with the Thai Minister for Defence, General Thammarak Isarangura, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Bangkok.

The Thai Prime Minister has offered training for our military recruits, as well as sharing intelligence and information on border surveillance.

The Thai Prime Minister also assured Sir Michael to visit PNG after an earlier visit was aborted. Mr Shinawtra intends to bring with him several business executives who are keen to invest in PNG.

ends//

Kora Nou
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