It has been officially confirmed that the President of the United States (US), Joe Biden will be here in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on the 22nd of May to visit the country on his short stop over to Australia.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, made the announcement on Saturday 29th April after getting the official confirmation from the US White House in Washington DC of the president’s stop over and visit. The US president’s visit will fall on the same date as the Forum for India- Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) where the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be attending here in Port Moresby city.
The minister said it’s significant because it will be the first time in the history of PNG to have the two biggest world economies visit the country at the same time.
“First time that this has ever happened and this is because of the confidence in the government, this is because of the relationships that we have put together in partnership with the United States and of course now with India,” said Minister Tkatchenko.
“So, the president of the United States will be dropping in on the 22nd around about 2pm to Port Moresby. Stay for three hours in the APEC Haus, see all the 18 pacific leaders that attend (FIPIC) and from there, have a very important bilateral meeting as well as making some very big and important announcement for this visit and why he is in Port Moresby.”
Tkatchenko said what is also significant about the US presidential visit to PNG, is that it will be the first time for a United States president in history to ever visit a pacific island nation. This visit will play an important role on strengthening the bilateral relationships and diplomatic relationships with the United States and the pacific and all its leaders.
“This is all about working together in partnership to promote our country for the long term benefit of our people,” said the minister.
The minister further explained that this visit and meeting with the US president is not just something out of the blue, but a result of previous dialogues between Prime Minister James Marape and President Biden during their earlier engagements during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City.
Meanwhile, after President Biden’s short visit and stop over, he will travel to Australia where he will have a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) or a Quad meeting with India, Japan and Australian.