PNG, Japan sign K11.6m deal for disaster relief and defence support

Heavy machinery amounting to K11.6 million to help strengthen Papua New Guinea's disaster, relief, and infrastructure development capabilities was signed with Japan recently.

Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Special Envoy of Japan's Prime Minister, Shiheru Ishiba, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takuma Miyaji, met for the Signing of Exchange Notes on Official Security Assistance [OSA]

The equipment will be provided to the engineering battalion of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the Lae Military base.

Minister Tkatchenko thanked the Government and people of Japan, saying that the assistance was a historic grant aid signing for both countries in the area of Military assistance.

"We must make sure that what we sign and what we agree is implemented immediately and not put on the shelves where it gathers dust and is forgotten, "he said.

Minister Miyagi added that Japan will work shoulder to shoulder with Papua New Guinea to support the efforts of the PNGDF to demonstrate their capabilities for national and regional security in the Pacific, including through the provision of OSA.

"We expect that this will synergize the capacity building assistance conducted by the Japan Ground Self Defence Force, as well as the cooperation activities carried out by Australia at the same location," Minister Miyaji said.

Mr Miyaji said he is pleased to visit Papua New Guinea, as it is a country blessed with beautiful nature and rich culture. He promised to work even harder for the further development of the bilateral relationship.