Media release
20 February 2008
Travel to Solomon Islands
I will be travelling to Solomon Islands on 21 – 22 February to attend the inaugural meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Standing Committee on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). I will be accompanied on this visit by the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP and the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, the Hon Bob McMullan MP.
The Forum Ministerial Standing Committee comprises the Foreign Ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum Troika of past, present and future chairs of the Forum – Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Niue – as well as the Foreign Ministers of Solomon Islands and Australia.
The Forum Ministerial Standing Committee will help to ensure a greater degree of regional coordination and oversight of RAMSI operations. The meeting on 22 February will also provide the opportunity for a strong early endorsement by the region of the new Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to a cooperative partnership with RAMSI and the Pacific Islands Forum.
The Australian Government welcomes the new Solomon Islands Government’s willingness
to work closely and cooperatively with Australia on RAMSI and on bilateral
issues, underscored by the visit to Australia last month by the Solomon Islands
Prime Minister, the Hon Dr Derek Sikua MP and the Foreign Minister, the Hon
Mr William Haomae MP.
RAMSI is committed to helping Solomon Islands achieve stability and security,
good governance and economic reform and growth.
I look forward to my first visit to the Solomon Islands and to meeting with Foreign Minister Haomae and my regional counterparts from Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Niue. I also look forward to meeting the RAMSI officials, touring their headquarters and meeting with Australian and regional deployees working with RAMSI.
Media inquiries
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555