Buka diplomatic post row settled

PORT MORESBY – Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says a “misunderstanding” caused the row with Australia over its proposal to set up a diplomatic post on Bougainville.

O’Neill met Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop in Japan where they attended the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting and said the matter was being resolved.

“It was a misunderstanding – that has been acknowledged and we will work it through,” he said.

O’Neill was reportedly furious when Australia revealed its plan to increase its diplomatic presence in Bougainville in its recent budget presentation without consulting Port Moresby.

The PNG government in retaliation last week restricted Australians from travelling to Bougainville.

Meanwhile, O’Neill warned that Papua New Guinea could not resettle refugees indefinitely, and he has also called on Australia and other countries to address the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.