Beijing, China
10 November 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, CMG in a bilateral meeting held at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

In the meeting, both leaders expressed mutual interest for the enhancement of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, with the Philippines giving its commitment to send a scoping mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

With the Philippines becoming a popular destination for medical tourism, Prime Minister Peter O’Neil also asked President Aquino to advance the two countries cooperation in education, specifically on technical and vocational programs as PNG nationals venture to the country to study. Cooperation in agriculture was also given emphasis in the meeting, noting the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in UP Los Baños that explore different varieties of rice species for PNG.

Towards the end, both countries expressed commitment and cooperation with each other as both will assume chairmanship of APEC Summit; Philippines in 2015 and Papua New Guinea in 2018.

Joining the PNG side were Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry Richard Maru, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Rimbink Pato, Minister for Sports and Events Justin Tkatchenko, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary William Dihm, Commerce, Trade and Industry Secretary John Andrias, and PNG Ambassador to China Christopher Mero.

Also present were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Philippine Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Erlinda F. Basilio, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Andrea Abad.

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