U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape Hold Press Briefing Following Bilateral Discussions
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – July 26, 2023 – Following a day of productive bilateral discussions, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape addressed members of the press this evening at 9:00 p.m. The briefing offered insights into the deepening security cooperation and shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region between the two nations.
Secretary Austin, on his historic visit to Papua New Guinea, conveyed the United States’ unwavering commitment to strengthening its security partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the significance of Papua New Guinea’s role in maintaining regional stability and underscored the importance of this engagement in fostering a shared understanding of evolving security challenges.
Prime Minister Marape welcomed Secretary Austin, emphasizing the long-standing friendship between Papua New Guinea and the United States. He articulated Papua New Guinea’s dedication to contributing to regional security and expressed enthusiasm for enhanced collaboration with the U.S. across various defense and security domains.
During the press briefing, key areas of discussion were shared, focusing on mutual interests in maritime security, disaster response, and professional military education. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to continuing dialogue and practical cooperation to address shared security concerns and promote a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ support for Papua New Guinea’s defense modernization efforts and its aspirations to enhance its maritime domain awareness capabilities. He spoke about the U.S. commitment to providing training, equipment, and expertise to bolster Papua New Guinea’s defense capacity.
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the value of U.S. assistance and highlighted Papua New Guinea’s own strategic priorities in strengthening its national security. He spoke about the nation’s commitment to upholding international law and its role as a responsible stakeholder in the region.
The press briefing concluded with a sense of optimism and a shared resolve to build upon the robust foundation of the U.S.-Papua New Guinea relationship. Both leaders expressed their confidence that this deepened engagement will contribute significantly to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region for years to come.
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