Foreign relations of Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea's foreign policy reflects close ties with Australia and other traditional allies and cooperative relations with neighboring countries.

In retaliation, the Australian government banned Somare from entering Australia; all talks between Canberra and Port Moresby were suspended.

In September 2007, relations began to thaw,[58] and in December 2007, the new Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, met Sir Michael in Bali.

[65] As of November 2005, relations with Pacific neighbor Fiji have been strained by revelations that a number of Fijian mercenaries have been operating illegally on the island of Bougainville, arming and training a rebel militia.

The French government has noted what it calls Port Moresby's "moderate" attitude on the issue of the decolonisation of New Caledonia - which, like Papua New Guinea, is located in Melanesia.

In March 2009, The Philippines and Papua New Guinea entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would enhance the cooperation between the two countries on the development of fisheries.

The MoU will facilitate technology transfer in aquaculture development, promotion of shipping ventures, investments, technical training, joint research, and "strategic complementation" of each country's plans in the "Coral Triangle" – or the waters between the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands.

[79] Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom share King Charles III as their head of state.