The Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs Minister says the country is standing firm on a travel ban imposed on Australians to the autonomous region of Bougainville.
The Post Courier reports that Rimbink Pato told Parliament the government had discussed some of the issues on Bougainville, particularly the announcement by Australia that it would open a foreign mission in Buka.
Mr Pato says the lifting of the ban will depend on the ongoing discussions.
Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
He says he doesn't want to do what the Australians did and make an announcement and later talk about solutions.
Mr Pato told parliament he thinks they will find a solution because of the bilateral relations that exist but in a way that will not affect the issue of sovereignty or territorial jurisdiction of PNG and their affairs.
He warned that any issues to do with Bougainville must be dealt with in a responsible manner because of the sensitivity of the issues and the history that surrounds the autonomous region.
