EUROPEAN UNION PROJECTS IN PNG NEED MORE ALIGNMENT AND EXPOSURE
Minister Tkatchenko and Mr Oliver Nette during the meeting.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko says all the European Union projects in Papua New Guinea must be given more awareness, promotion and exposure.
Speaking during a meeting on April 10, 2025, with Oliver Nette, Senior Inspector Inspection Service, European External Action Service based in Brussels, Belgium, Mr Tkatchenko said all member-countries of the European Union need to do more and do it better.
Mr Nette is in the country for an inspection of the performance of the European Union projects.
Minister Tkatchenko said the inspection was timely in respect to the implementation of foreign and grant aid.
He added that there has to be more exposure on the implementation and less consultants so that more money is saved for the right purpose.
“European Union is definitely one ally and area where were want to ensure that we continue our relationship but grow bigger and better in a more sustainable manner.”
“Our doors are open and we welcome you to PNG, but we need more information, more understanding and communication in terms of the implementation of projects.”
Minister said PNG is here to do business and work with European Union and many other development partners in different areas such as food security, oil and gas, mineral and investing into other sectors or assisting in building the companies.
“We have an open-door policy and we are finishing off our Foreign Policy White Paper which will be finalised by June this year that will enable everybody to understand completely where PNG stands on every international level including European Union.”
“EU projects are mostly in rural areas of our country and we need more exposure on what you are doing in these projects and programs and activities.”
Mr Nette said the main reason for the inspection is to look at their performance in the environment area and to know if it is accomplishing its mission.
He explained that it was more of a performance review, to see how the EU Delegation is working in PNG.
Mr Nette said that the new philosophy for the European Union now was focused on investment supported by grants.
He added that the areas under the new philosophy are linked to grid infrastructure, solar, hydro power and water waste treatment and the Rabaul Port project.
