From PNG National... 15/5/03 Prime Minister off to Japan for Pacific meet
Large business delegation accompanying Prime Minister
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday left for Japan accompanied by two senior ministers and a large delegation of businessmen. Sir Michael is to attend the 3rd Pacific Asia Leaders' Summit (PALM 2003) in Okinawa, Japan on May 16-17 and is scheduled to return on May 21. Sir Michael is being accompanied by Petroleum Minister Sir Moi Avei, Labour Minister Peter O'Neil, Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe and Petroleum Secretary Joe Gabut. A large contingent of private sector officials is accompanying the Prime Minister. They include representatives from Oil Search, Manufacturers' Council and Eda Ranu. Sir Michael will be accompanied till Tokyo by Sir Moi and Mr O'Neill. There the two ministers will part company with the Prime Minister and proceed to hold discussions with groups in Tokyo on matters pertaining to their respective ministries. Sir Moi is certain to discuss the issue of PNG gas markets in Japan while Mr O'Neill will meet with Japanese tourist operators. Mr O'Neill is also acting Minister for Tourism, recently vacated by Madang Member Alois Kingsley. The entourage is scheduled to return before May 20 in time for Parliament to resume and the viewing of the late Fr Louis Ambane's body lying in state in the chambers of Parliament on May 22. In a statement on the eve of his departure Sir Michael said that the Okinawa summit will reaffirm the commitment of Japanese and Pacific Islands Forum leaders to continue to work together to ensure that a safe, stable and sustainable environment is achieved in the Asia and Pacific region. Among issues to be discussed at the Summit are:
Greater security in the Pacific region;
More robust and sustainable trade and economic growth;
Improved education and human resources development; and
Safer and more sustainable Pacific environment.
He said: "While PALM provides an opportunity for exchanges between the Forum and Japanese leaders, I will also use the opportunity to hold separate bilateral talks with Prime Minister Koizumi, and other Japanese leaders."
