22 Jul 2002

PNG and East Timor establish full diplomatic relations

9:38 am on 22 July 2002

The governments of Papua New Guinea and East Timor have signed a joint communiqué establishing full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in Fiji following the end of the African, Caribbean and Pacific leaders meeting.

PNG's special envoy to the ACP meeting, Sir John Kaputin and East Timor's Home Affairs Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, also discussed the prospect of East Timor joining the Melanesian Spear Head Group or MSG.

Sir John said PNG was happy to provide technical support and to support East Timor's request to joining the MSG, the Pacific Islands Forum and the ACP.