The leaders of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville have agreed to hold a special meeting in two weeks to finalise preparations for next year's referendum on independence.
John Momis and Peter O'Neill Photo: RNZ / AFP
Bougainville is set to vote on possible independence as the final step of the 2001 Peace Agreement which formally ended the ten year long civil war.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and President John Momis met in Port Moresby on Monday and have agreed to hold a special meeting of the Joint Supervisory Board, the JSB, in two weeks time.
The JSB is to establish the question for the referendum and set up a commission to prepare for the event.
Mr Momis said Mr O'Neill is committed to the process.
"He said to me the referendum will be held and will be held in good time and before the end of next year, because if you leave it too late you run the risk of running into the ABG elections in 2020.
"The prime minister was upbeat, he was very positive and assured me we will move mountains to make sure the referendum is held in good time."
