AUSTRALIA’S new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Rodney John Hilton, has paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare this week.
High Commissioner Hilton used the occasion to introduce himself and his partner.
He also took the opportunity to reaffirm and reiterate the on- going cordial and mutual bilateral relationship and the development partnership enjoyed by Australia and Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Sogavare, in receiving High Commissioner Hilton, acknowledged Australia’s on-going support in the areas of infrastructure development, security, education development and other areas of common interests.
He particularly highlighted the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme, which has benefited the country immensely in terms of remittances.
Prime Minister Sogavare acknowledged Australia for the scheme and assured High Commissioner Hilton that more Solomon Islanders will be going over to Australia to work and meet the unskilled labour demand of Australia.
He Sogavare also assured the Australian High Commissioner that Solomon Islands would always regard Australia as the partner of choice in areas of common interests.
High Commissioner succeeds Dr Lachlan Strahan who returned to Canberra last weekend.
