Foreign Affairs Minister sets record straight against misleading statement by former Minister
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Soroi Eoe, who is en-route home from successfully participating in the UNGA High Level General Debate 74th session, said that claims by his predecessor Mr. Rimbink Pato that it was “a mistake” for me to refer to the “richest clack Christian country” and failed to articulate the Marape/Steven Government’s development vision at the UN General Assembly is factually incorrect.
The Prime Minister’s statement that I presented on his behalf, did not make direct reference to richest black Christian country but rather spoke to the Prime Minister’s vision to Take Back Papua New Guinea to make it prosperous, secure and peaceful through inclusive economic growth. The intent of the Prime Minister’s key message for the country’s development going forward is well understood and generally agreeable in the country and how that message is packaged for the international community is exactly what I did as the Foreign Minister. The statement outlines the Marape/Steven Government’s policies, actions and projections on PNG’s development effort.
Minister Eoe
He said as an update on PNG’s development agenda and its commitment to implement the UN global agenda, the statement focused on three fundamental areas; firstly, existing policies and update on their implementation; secondly, an update on PNG’s implementation of the United Nations led global agenda including on elements relating to agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement and thirdly, the Government’s projections on improving from the current state of play.
Minister Eoe said as his first statement in his capacity as Head of the Government, the Prime Minister rightly chose to speak on these important national and international commitments where his Government’s priorities are at the moment.
He said in the absence of a revised Foreign Policy, the current Government is yet to evaluate Papua New Guinea’s strategic priorities that would form the basis of conducting our international relations.
“I have been informed that the Foreign Policy Review under Minister Pato’s leadership as Foreign Minister that started in 2016 was endorsed by the previous Government, should form the basis of Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Policy White Paper which is being endorsed under my leadership.
Minister Eoe said he will make the completion pf the Foreign Policy White Paper a priority. It is necessary given the current international shift to multilateral-ism and strategic alliances. The new Foreign Policy when concluded will realign Papua New Guinea’s national strategic priorities with changing global and regional circumstances and obligation.
In the meantime, Papua New Guinea’s challenge is to reposition the Papua New Guinea Foreign Service that plays an important national role to respond to our domestic needs and interests, as well as meeting our international obligations, in support of Marape/Steven Government’s vision of Taking Back Papua New Guinea using international diplomacy.
