On the occasion of the 37th independence anniversary of the independent state of Papua New Guinea, Amb. Bill Veri of Papua New Guinea and Madame Julien Katrina Solien-Veri hosted a meaningful reception to commemorate it with colleague envoys and their compatriots in Seoul including Korean government officials and businessmen at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Sep. 19, 2012.

▲ Amb. Veri & Director-General Park (second & first from right) pose with dignataries on the occasion of the Independence Day of Papua New Guinea.

From the foreign missions in Seoul was conspicuous Amb. Sam Gerovich of Australia in attendance, from which Papua New Guinea was independent 37 years ago on Sep. 16, 1976. From the Korean government came Director-General Park Hae-yun for South Asian & Pacific Affairs of MOFAT to deliver the government’s congratulatory remarks which emphasized the importance of development cooperation assistance for Papua New Guinea from Korea.
Amb. Veri also stressed in his welcoming speech: “In the process of economic development centering on resources such as the mineral of Papua New Guinea, there will be many scopes for the Republic of Korea to share development’s experience and knowhow”. Since the diplomatic ties between Korea and Papua New Guinea on May 19, 1976, the two countries have been maintaining constructive relations as such important development cooperation partners, Veri added.

▲ Papua New Guinea dance group poses with Amb. Veri (sixth from left) during the reception.

Touching upon the Korea-Pacific Islands Senior Officials’ Meeting, held on Sep. 18, 2012 in Seoul, in which Korea-PIF (Pacific Islands Forum) cooperation fund was increased to 500,000 dollars, Amb. Veri said: “This is a proof of close cooperation for Pacific Islands, adding Korea has been proceeding development cooperation with priority given to capacity cultivation of Pacific Islands through a grant-type aid amounting to 40 million dollars during last 20 years.
Director-General Park Hae-yun for South Asian & Pacific Affairs of MOFAT said on behalf of the government: “Papua New Guinea is now going through a transitional period from a traditional society to a modern one. As a true friend of Papua New Guinea and a country who has experienced such transitional process earlier, Korea sincerely wishes to share our knowhow with Papua New Guinea and contribute to finding a suitable model of development for Papua New Guinea”.
“The relationship between Korea and Papua New Guinea has continuously flourished since the establishment of our diplomatic ties in 1976. Since then, our trade volume has increased about 150 times. And now, Papua New Guinea is the largest trading partner of Korea among the Pacific Island Countries”, Park added.