The embassy of Papua New Guinea in Jerusalem was inaugurated today (Tuesday). The event was attended by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marapa, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and the Mayor of Jerusalem. In addition, a senior ministerial delegation from Papua New Guinea arrived in Israel for the occasion.
"I was very excited when I heard your anthem" said the Prime Minister. "I heard the words "prayer" and "Tikva". The origin of most of these prayers is this city."
"As you rightly pointed out, it has been our capital for three thousand years. It is the source of a considerable part of our heritage. Here our values were shaped. Here our prophets prophesied, and here the many eternal values we cherish were created and spread. First they were spread among the people of Israel and then to all of humanity."
"That's why I believe it is appropriate that a country and a people deeply committed to these values did exactly what you did - that is, opening an embassy in Jerusalem."
"Papua New Guinea is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do this. We are very proud and appreciate this fact very much."
"Secondly, I want to say that this step will not only allow us to cherish the past. It will also allow us to grasp the future. I was impressed by the great potential you are building in Papua New Guinea."
"Papua New Guinea is a big country with big opportunities. The fact that you have an embassy here will allow us to realize all this potential. In agriculture, water, technology, health, and entrepreneurship."
"A true friend of Israel"
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said at the event: "Strengthening the international status of Jerusalem is strengthening the international status of the State of Israel. I congratulate the government of Papua New Guinea on the important decision to establish an embassy in the city of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel."
"The decision will strengthen and deepen the relations between Israel and Papua New Guinea. They proved that they are a true friend of Israel in the international arena as well."
"The opening of the embassy of Papua New Guinea brings us another step closer to the goal we set at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of reaching 100 embassies in Israel and doubling the number of foreign missions in Jerusalem, our capital."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to act in order to prove Israel's value to the world and promote cooperation with countries based on our high capabilities in the fields of innovation, economy, and science."
During the visit of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marapa, he met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Earlier also with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and discussed the relations between the two countries. The parties expressed a desire to expand the cooperation between the countries in a wide range of issues, especially in the fields of advanced agriculture.