Papua New Guinea on Thursday, April 4, joined other countries in calling for respect for international law as the Philippines informed the island nation of developments in the Indo-Pacific region and sought its support in ensuring peace and security.
This developed as Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo and Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko met in Manila for policy consultations that included discussions on boosting ties on various areas.
Their meeting came amid more cases of aggression being experienced by the Philippines in the South China Sea.
“Both our countries share the same interests in upholding international law, particularly the UNCLOS, and I updated the Foreign Minister on challenges faced by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said in his remarks.
“PNG believes in the peaceful co-existence of nation-states consistent with international law and resolving disputes peacefully and respecting the sovereignty of other states,” Tkatchenko said.
Apart from maritime concerns, the two diplomats also tackled air services, tourism, labor, agriculture, fisheries, trade and other “common issues of concern,” according to Manalo.
“But as friends, as partners, and as members of the Pacific family, we must take advantage of the potential such as mitigating and adapting to climate change, and disaster risk reduction and management, that this partnership has to offer,” Manalo said.
Manalo and Tkatchenko also discussed economic cooperation to strengthen two-way trade in agriculture and fishery.
“Our respective agencies shall work towards the renewal and enhancement of the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Fisheries Cooperation,” Manalo said.
Tkatchenko said both countries have abundant natural resources, so they “can learn from each other’s experiences through mutual cooperation specifically in the fisheries, agriculture, tourism and downstream processing.”
“I am pleased that trade and economic relations between the two countries is steadily increasing and should continue to expand and diversify," he said.
"There are vast, untapped opportunities that can be further harnessed and developed by both countries through cooperation for mutual benefits,” he added.