Australian PM Anthony Albanese arrives in PNG

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his delegation arrived in Port Moresby after 9:30am.

He's being accompanied by the Minister responsible for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, as well as senior members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials. 

Australian PM Anthony Albanese arrives in PNG  [NBC Photo]

Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko were on hand at Jackson's APEC Terminal to welcome them. 

He received a nineteen-gun salute upon arrival. 

Also in attendance are the Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu, and Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp among others. 

Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, in a motorcade was escorted to the Government House. 

He paid a courtesy call to Governor General Sir Bob Dadae at the government at 10.30 this morning. 

Prime Minister Albanese will then be escorted to the parliament where his colleague Prime Minister James Marape is expected to meet him. 

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, says it's a great honor for him to be the first foreign leader to ever address the National Parliament later today. 

'Mr Albanese told Australian media, to be addressing PNG's Parliament is an extraordinary honour that Prime Minister James Marape and his Government are giving Australia, and a great honour of his life. 

He says he'll be talking about enhanced security arrangements, which he describes as critical given PNG is Australia's closest neighbour to the north. 

He says the economic relationship and PNG's economic development are also critical, and he'll be talking about how both nations can improve their economic relations, and how Australia can assist PNG's economic development.

 Mr Albanese will also talk about how both countries can cooperate on climate change. 

He says Friday's visit to Wewak is important as well because he wants to make sure Australia pays its respect to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. 

NBC News / PNG Today

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