PARLIAMENT TO DELIBERATE DEFENCE COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH U.S

The Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between Papua New Guinea and the US during the US Pacific Islands Forum in Port Moresby last month will be tabled in this session of Parliament for members to deliberate.

Prime Minister James Marape said this after Northern Governor Gary Juffa raised questions on the implications and benefits of this agreement.

Mr. Marape assured the House that all due processes were followed in developing this important document.

"This session of Parliament, we will table the Defence Cooperation Agreement that was signed between Papua New Guinea and the United States of America. Parliament will have an opportunity to speak on this DCA," the Prime Minister said.

The Defence Corporation Agreement was signed between Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in place of US President Joe Biden.

The DCA aims to help PNG build its defence capabilities and capacities and also address security issues such as illegal fishing ,logging and drug smuggling in PNG waters.

NBC News PNG - Denyse Kalau