PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill Arrives in Japan

Papua New Guinea  Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill  has arrived in Japan for the start of an Official Visit that will focus on creating more export jobs, strengthening areas of development support and encouraging more cultural engagement between the two countries.
PM O’Neill is visiting Japan at the invitation of his counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Prime Minister and Mrs Lynda Babao-O’Neill were received by an honour guard and officials from Japan’s Government on arrival in Tokyo, while streets in the Government precinct displayed Papua New Guinean and Japanese flags together as a sign of unity.
“The Papua New Guinea delegation is honoured to be received by Japan with such enthusiasm for this visit,” PM O’Neill said on arrival.
“Japan and Papua New Guinea are very strong friends and a continually expanding our economic and cultural relationship.
“I look forward to meeting with my friend and colleague, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tomorrow, where we will advance a matters of mutual concern for our nations.”
During the afternoon of his first day in Japan, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with representatives from companies such as Marubeni, Sojitz and JX Nippon. He will then proceeding to a reception co-hosted by the Japan-PNG Association and the Japan-PNG Parliamentary Friendship League.
During the visit the Papua New Guinea Government will conclude agreements that include the start of visa-on-arrival for travel between the two countries, the Nadzab Airport reconstruction project, and the signing of the outstanding Port Moresby Sewerage System Upgrade Project Agreement which he said is long overdue.
“Almost 18 years ago, the Government launched a sewerage program for Port Moresby and its expansion to the Motu-Koitabu area,” PM O’Neill told people in Hanuabada last week.
“However, due to some bureaucratic setbacks, we are still talking about this program with the Japanese government.
“We need action on this project and we are going to deliver this sewage system for Port Moresby and especially people of Motu Koitabu villages.
“Around the country we are expanding access to fresh water and sewerage facilities to our communities and this will be another great step forward."
The ongoing schedule for the week will include an audience for Mr and Mrs O’Neill with, Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Wednesday morning, and a summit meeting with Prime Minister Abe in the early evening.
The Prime Minister will further visit Soka University to meet with senior researchers and students, and will travel to the Osaka Gas LNG Receiving Terminal.
PM O’Neill is accompanied by Ms Babao-O'Neill, Ministers of State including Foreign Affairs and Immigration, State Owned Enterprises, and National Planning, and a private sector delegation of over 30 businesspeople.