India, Aug. 12 -- Papua New Guinea is urging New Zealand to engage in negotiations for a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), arguing that current trade policies do not meet the unique economic needs and aspirations of PNG.

Papua New Guinea's Trade Minister, Richard Maru, says that if New Zealand values its 50-year relationship with PNG, it must commit to this new partnership.

Speaking to PMN News, Maru says that after 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, it's time to reset the relationship and elevate it to the next level.

Maru made it clear that PNG is not interested in the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus), a regional trade and development agreement involv...