PINA

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea has a “healthy relationship” with China. “They also are important and a big trading partner,” he said. Marape was responding to criticisms over the signing of defence cooperation agreements with the United States in Port Moresby on Monday, with some seeing it as putting at risk the PNG-China relationship. “But we...

The Turaga Bale Na Vunivalu Na Tui Kaba, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau is adamant of a positive outcome as Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) reconvened today for the first time after 16 years since its suspension in 2007. In an interview, Ratu Epenisa stressed the need for GCC to evolve and adapt to the changing times and the diverse population...

Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea hopes to adopt India’s electronic voting system and biometric identification during General Election 2027. “They (India) are one of the biggest democratic nations and they deliver voting results in one day,” he said. “With a population of 1.4 billion people, and about 800 million eligible voters, they are able to vote and get...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the United States’ increasing involvement in the Pacific. Brown, who is also the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, made the comments in the U.S-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Monday. Brown, who had recently attended the Group of Seven (G7) meeting at the invitation of Japan,...

U. S Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin has described the U.S-Papua New Guinea Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is an important milestone for the relationship between the United States and Papua New Guinea (PNG) – and for our collective Indo-Pacific security. “The agreement reflects our partnership and our shared values as Pacific countries, the importance of ensuring the security and...

Seeing all the paramount chiefs of Fiji convene again after 16 long years is very emotional, says Vunivalu Tui Kaba, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau. Ratu Epenisa said hosting the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) after a very long time is not easy, and the people of Bau stepped up to ensure that they provide the best GCC experience. The Turaga Vunivalu has...

Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have signed a memorandum of understanding on immigration and border security cooperation. It was signed by chief migration officer Stanis Hulahau and the Solomon Islands permanent secretary for foreign affairs and external trade Collin Beck in Port Moresby on Monday. “This partnership with the Solomon Islands Immigration is significant and would pave the way...

Timor-Leste independence hero Xanana Gusmao's party has won the parliamentary election but has fallen short of an outright majority. The opposition National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) led with 41.6 per cent of the votes, while its main rival and incumbent coalition leader Fretilin got 25.7 percent, according to the electoral commission. The result of Sunday's election paves the way for...

Palau and the United States formally signed the Compact Review Agreement in Papua New Guinea this week, witnessed by President Surangel Whipps Jr and U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Palau Chief Compact Negotiator Finance Minister Kaleb Udui Jr and U.S Special Envoy Joseph Yun signed the agreement. The signing followed the initialing ceremony held in Palau last week. Palau Chief...

Fiji's Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Lee Burney, has decided that there will be no reinstatement of charges against former military officer, Ratu Tevita Mara following a review of the matter. Ratu Tevita Mara was charged by the police for making seditious comments in 2011. A nolle prosequi (formal withdrawal of a charge by the State) was filed in court in...