Joint Press Statement
between
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

Introduction

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill welcomed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand to Papua New Guinea on 25 March 2013. Prime Minister O’Neill highlighted the fact that Prime Minister Yingluck was the first Thai Prime Minister to pay an official visit to Papua New Guinea. Thus both leaders declared to be a significant milestone for Papua New Guinea – Thailand relations and has opened a new chapter in expanding cooperation and forging partnership at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

Prime Minister Yingluck expressed her gratitude for the courtesy call on Governor-General, Sir Michael Ogio of Papua New Guinea. Governor-General Ogio expressed admiration for the role of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Thailand and the members of the Royal Family in improving the livelihoods of the Thai people through the Royal development projects and initiatives. Both Governor-General Ogio and Prime Minister O’Neill conveyed their warmest wishes to Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Thailand and the members of the Royal Family.

Political Development

Both Leaders underscored the importance of responding to the aspirations of the people. As leaders of democratically elected governments, both Prime Ministers expressed their commitment to safeguard and advance democracy and the rule of law.

Enhancement of Bilateral Relations

The two leaders underscored the positive outcomes of their bilateral discussions which have resulted in a number of joint commitments and cooperative endeavours. In this regard, they attached importance to the establishment of the Papua New Guinea-Thailand Bilateral Consultations as a mechanism to discuss areas of mutual interest, ranging from political issues to economic and technical cooperation as well as global challenges.

Both Leaders agreed that the consultations between the two countries would be at senior level and the first meeting to be hosted by Thailand, in which the first framework of the discussion will include Thailand’s Technical Cooperation to advance Thailand-Papua New Guinea business partnership for the benefit of the two countries.

Prime Minister O’Neill took the opportunity to update Prime Minister Yingluck on the economic developments taking place in Papua New Guinea, particularly on the significant Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project development and his Government’s endeavours to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as the engine for economic growth and development role in the country. To this end, Prime Minister O’Neill sought the support of Thailand to share its experience on SME with PNG.

Trade and Investment

The two leaders recognized the potential of expanding bilateral trade and investment. Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his appreciation for the presence of Thai investors in Papua New Guinea, and welcomed the Thai business delegation to explore business opportunities in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the areas of energy, agricultural products, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure. Moreover, the conclusion of an MOU between the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Thai Chamber of Commerce will establish business networking and cooperation between the two countries and beyond.

Both Leaders looked forward to the conclusion of the Agreements of Double Taxation and on Investment Promotion and Protection.

Technical Cooperation

In the area of technical cooperation, Prime Minister Yingluck expressed the Government of Thailand’s preparedness to provide its expertise and experience in key development areas of priority to Papua New Guinea, such as public health, sufficiency economy, agriculture, fishery, SMEs development and tourism. Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his gratitude for the “Food Safety and Diagnostic Test Kits” provided by the Government of Thailand during Prime Minister Yingluck’s visit to Papua New Guinea.

Both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Papua New Guinea-Thailand Agreement on Technical Cooperation as a platform to enhance further cooperation between the two countries.

Education

The Prime Ministers recognized the need to create awareness and understanding between the two peoples. The establishment of a “Thai Corner” at the University of Papua New Guinea would generate interest about Thailand and Southeast Asia, and help provide the impetus for people to people connectivity.

Regional Cooperation

Both Leaders reiterated their commitment to promoting regional cooperation, such as ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). As the ASEAN Community (AC) will be realized in 2015, both leaders encouraged each other to capitalize the economic and strategic benefits of ASEAN regional connectivity in which Thailand serves as a strategic hub for the Southeast Asian region and Papua New Guinea as the gateway to the South Pacific region.

Prime Minister O’Neill informed Prime Minister Yingluck on issues in the Pacific region and PNG’s efforts to addressing them, particularly on money laundering, people smuggling and other transnational crimes which Papua New Guinea sought Thailand’s support.

Global Issues

The two Prime Ministers committed themselves to closer collaboration in coping with a number of global challenges, particularly poverty eradication, climate change, disaster management, food security, and sustainable development. The two leaders underscored the role of the South-South Cooperation and experience sharing as key elements in tackling these global challenges.

Conclusion

Both Prime Ministers agreed to continue the exchanges of high-level visits between Papua New Guinea and Thailand in order to build upon the spirit of friendship and move forward the cooperative endeavours between the two countries.

Prime Minister O’Neill thanked Prime Minister Yingluck for her invitation to make a reciprocal visit to Thailand.