Bougainville tells Port Moresby what it expects ahead of pivotal meeting

A meeting to decide on a framework for consultations over the outcome of the Bougainville's referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea is set to take place in Kokopo on 30 November.

The PNG and Bougainville Governments agreed to hold the Joint Supervisory Body, meeting in East New Britain on Monday during a preliminary meeting in Port Moresby.

At that meeting, Prime Minister James Marape and Bougainville's President Ishmael Toroama reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process and the need for constructive dialogue.

Toroama said he wanted to address outstanding issues to do with unpaid grants, Bougainville's access to taxes collected in the region and its share of fishing licensing fees before the next meeting.

He said this would allow the parties to focus on ratifying the referendum result.

Marape told the meeting that his government is ready to empower and support Bougainville as best it can as both governments progress towards the final stages of the 2001 Peace Agreement.