Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to address Papua New Guinea's parliament during a two-day visit next week.
Mr Albanese had been due to visit PNG in December last year but the trip was postponed after he tested positive to COVID-19.
He will be in the country from January 12 to 13 to attend an annual Leaders' Dialogue, before flying to Wewak in the north to pay homage to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
Mr Albanese told News Corp in December that he planned to offer PNG increased defence and security support during the visit.
"We provided support for security for their recent elections, and we’re looking to provide increased support for Papua New Guinea and collaboration on defence and security issues," he said.
It will be the first visit by an Australian prime minister since May 2019.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the visit would reinforce the strong bond between the two countries.
"Part of the program will include Prime Minister Albanese addressing our national parliament, which we are offering as a mark of respect to the Australian leader, as PNG marches towards our 50th anniversary of independence," Mr Marape said in a statement.
"It is only befitting that the leader of the Australian Labor Party, which granted independence to PNG in 1975 — through then-leader Gough Whitlam — be given this honour of addressing our national parliament."
Sir Michael Somare led the former Australian colony to independence in 1975 and preparations are under way to celebrate its approaching 50th anniversary.
"The Australian Labor Party [was then] led by the late Gough Whitlam, who was in government in Australia, while the Pangu Pati [was] led by the late Sir Michael Somare [who] was in government in PNG," Mr Marape said.
"Australia and Papua New Guinea have a long history and this visit will strengthen our shared vision for the future.
"Australia is a very important foundation bilateral partner of PNG, in as far as nation-to-nation relations are concerned."
Mr Albanese said he had enjoyed hosting "good friend" Mr Marape on several Australian visits last year and the bilateral relationship remained strong.
"Australia and Papua New Guinea are close not just geographically, but also because of our long history and shared vision for the future," he said.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles in October flagged an "ambitious" bid to expand military ties and sign a security treaty with Papua New Guinea.
It came after PNG's new foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, earlier said he would like officials from the two countries to strike a formal treaty.
While anxiety about China has propelled Australia's renewed push to deepen defence ties in the Pacific, Mr Marles insisted at the time that was not the primary driver.
Source: abc.net
