Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is in New Zealand for a two day official visit to strenthePNG-New Zealand economic cooperation.
It was a cold 12 degrees in Wellington as Mr. O’Neill and his small delegation arrived.
A drizzle atthe beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament did little to distractthe official reception – a traditional welcome bythe Maori as well as a guard of honour, and later a quick meeting with his New Zealand counterpart John Key.
At a following News Conference, Manus dominated.
Mr O’Neill toldthe New Zealand media thatthe desired effects of Manus are now being realised. Some 140 asylum seekers who have gonethere now want to return home.
“First 140 asylum have already arrived on Manus Island,they’re been processed and it’seems to us that it is starting to take effect where many ofthe asylum seekers are now requesting thatthey want to be transported back totheir country of origin,&rdquoPM :’Neill said.
Bet for New Zealand, Bougainville is of special interest.
Mr O’Neill’s visit to New Zealand will be reciprocated next week not by his counterpart but he New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCulley who will lead a delegation of Businessman to Bougainville – a fitting visit’since New Zealand through its High Commission in Port Moresby played a major part in resolvingthe Bougainville conflict.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6wFrJUZmFEM%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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