Apia, Samoa: Friday, 25 October 2024:
Vanuatu Prime Minister, Hon. Charlot Tabimasmas (left) and Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, displaying the signed Agreement. (photo credit: PM&NEC).
A framework agreement was signed today in Samoa, between the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. James Marape, committing the two countries to pursue, develop, and implement economic and technical cooperation activities for the benefit of their peoples.
The signing took place at Taumeasina Island Resort in Apia, Samoa, and on the margins of the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Prime Minister Marape described the agreement as a milestone achievement for both countries, whilst fostering and deepening a long relationship they have, as members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and also with Papua New Guinea playing a small role in the birth of Vanuatu as a country.
Prime Minister Tabimasmas in response, expressed appreciation to PNG for its assistance in the past, including sending relief aid to Vanuatu after it was hit by a cyclone.
He highlighted that this was a result of discussions he held with leaders from PNG, and thanked government officials from both countries for their efforts in ensuring those discussions resulted in the development of this framework agreement.
The agreement provides an overarching framework under which the two parties are able to initiate, develop, and implement subsidiary cooperation understanding and agreements between various sectors and areas of development.
The scope of cooperation in the agreement includes, but is not limited to: Agriculture; Air Services; Bilateral Trade and Investment; Climate Change and Environment; Defence and Security Cooperation; Double Taxation; Education and Human Resource Development; Disaster; Health and Medical Services; Infrastructure; Investment Promotion and Protection; Marine and Fisheries Cooperation ; Policing ‘ Mining and Energy; Tourism and Culture
The event was witnessed by PNG’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, Minister for International Trade and Investment Hon. Richard Maru, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Hon. Jelta Wong and Minister for Community Development, Religion and Youth Hon. Jason Peter.