PNG celebrates close ties with Finland

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – While Britain is distancing itself from Europe, Papua New Guinea has this week been celebrating its close ties to Scandinavia.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, has farewelled the outgoing Ambassador of Finland to Papua New Guinea, Pasi Patokalio, and thanked him for Finland’s ongoing support for business and development in the country.

“In the three years that Ambassador Patokalio has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Papua New Guinea he has seen significant change taking place in our country,” the prime minister said.

“While we are all aware of the pressures imposed by commodity prices over the past year, the development that is taking place in Papua New Guinea was not lost on the Ambassador.

“He made the point that Papua New Guinea is a country that has great opportunity, and our government further invites businesses and investors to come and identify opportunities.

“There are already companies from Finland operating in Papua New Guinea, particularly in areas such as the provision of equipment for use in the mining sector.

“We can grow this even further as part of our increased economic engagement with Finland, alongside our increasing co-operation with France, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.

“The fundamentals of our economy remain strong and we are moving through the current global challenges that have affected many commodity exporters.

“Global confidence in Papua New Guinea’s economy remains high and we will continue to attract business and investment.”

O’Neill said he also appreciates the position taken by Finland on matters relating to climate change.

“Finland shares Papua New Guinea’s concerns in relation to the threat posed by climate change and we are able to take similar positions to global forums such as the COP-21 meeting in Paris last year.

“Finland has also been active in supporting people from Carteret Islands in Bougainville who sadly became the world’s first climate change refugees after their homes were destroyed.”

The prime minister extended Ambassador Patokalio best wishes in his next role after more than forty years of service to Finland’s Foreign Affairs Department. As well as serving as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador Patokalio is also Finland’s senior diplomatic representative to Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific island nations.

- Post-Courier