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In a media statement, the Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, has welcomed the announcement that United States Vice President Mike Pence will visit Papua New Guinea to attend the APEC Summit on 17-18 November.
The welcome comes amidst an announcement by president Donald Trump that his country will be represented by his vice. Trump will skip it.
“Vice President Pence is an outstanding Leader, and we look forward to receiving him in Port Moresby,” the Prime Minister said.
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| Overlooking Port Moresby's iconic Ela Beach |
“A man of great religious conviction, Vice President Pence also played an important role in helping bring the 400-year-old King James Bible to Papua New Guinea.
“When he was the Governor of the American state of Indiana, Mike Pence helped to bring about the support required for the donation and transport of the Bible to Papua New Guinea.
“The 400-year-old King James Bible now rests in our Parliament and I know our Church Leaders will look forward to thanking Vice President Pence personally for his support.
“United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will also attend the APEC Minister’s Meeting on November 15.
“While President Trump will not be attending the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, a State Visit to Australia or APEC in Papua New Guinea, Vice President Pence will make an outstanding contribution to discussions.
“Negotiations in the multilateral trading system are particularly challenging at the moment, and we look forward to the positive contribution he will add to these discussions.”
PM O’Neill said APEC Member Economies at times alternate representation between Presidents, Prime Ministers, Vice Presidents or Foreign Ministers depending on domestic and related travel factors.
“Papua New Guinea looks forward to receiving the President of China, Xi Jinping, as a country with which Papua New Guinea has a strengthening bilateral engagement.
“The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has confirmed his attendance, and this will be the second time he has visited Papua New Guinea.
“President Joko Widodo of Indonesia will return to Papua New Guinea after his historic State Visit in 2014.
“Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from Malaysia will also return to Papua New Guinea, and he has a long and enduring relationship with our country when he was previously the Prime Minister.
“Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia has confirmed he will return to APEC having attended multiple Leaders Summits in the past in his capacity as President and Prime Minister.
“We look forward to continuing to provide details of Leaders attending the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Papua New Guinea as they are announced.”
