The governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville have confirmed that a political settlement or independence for Bougainville will be achieved between 2025 and 2027.
This is part of the joint statement signed by PNG's James Marape and Bougainville's Ishmael Toroama after the latest inter-government consultations on the referendum results.
In November 2019 Bougainvilleans voted resoundingly for independence.
Prime Minister James Marape and President Ishmael Toroama Photo: PNG PM Media
Both parties have agreed officials can prepare a framework that will implement the constitutional requirements so the referendum result can be honoured.
This framework is expected to explain in detail the mechanism for tabling the referendum results in the PNG Parliament and the manner in which MPs may ratify the results.
The framework, to be known as the Era Kone Covenant, will go before both cabinets by January 31 next year and be invoked two months later if accepted by both cabinets.
Prior to the meeting the Bougainville President had called on Mr Marape to let his people go.
He said the consultations had gone far enough.
Mr Marape said beforehand that he wanted a Papua New Guinea-wide consultation and awareness before the final ratification can be decided.