SOLOMON Islands and Papua New Guinea discussed a number of security arrangements last weekend.
The discussions were held between Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Minister of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), Jimson Tanangada and MPNSCS Permanent Secretary Karen Galokale, Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau and PNG’s Minister for Police, Peter Tsiamilili and Commissioner of Police David Manning.
The meeting saw the discussion of a number of security arrangements, including the extension to the term of deployment of PNG’s police serving in Solomon Islands to the end of June as requested by Prime Minister Manele as well as an update on Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) regional police force plan.
Prime Minister Manele acknowledged the presence of PNG police men and women deployed under the bilateral security arrangement between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) provide security during the country’s first-ever Joint national, provincial and HCC elections.
He also paid tribute to the PNG police force for their professionalism in ensuring law and order was maintained during the election of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Manele’s request for the extension of the term of deployment of the PNG police personnel in Solomon Islands is to ensure that the Parliament meetings scheduled for May and June are conducted safely.
In addition, PM Manele requested the consideration of the PNG Police Minister and Commissioner to accommodate new RSIPF recruits for training at the new PNG Police training academy.
In response, the PNG Police Minister Tsiamilili assured Prime Minister Manele that PNG stands ready to support Solomon Islands and also stated his belief that security issues experienced within the Pacific region are better handled by Pacific Islanders.
The PNG Police Minister Tsiamilili assured Prime Minister Manele of his government’s willingness to accept RSIPF recruits and in-service trainees into their new State-of-the-Art Bomana Police Academy, which aims to mold the men and women in blue to be effective in their job.
PNG Police Minister Tsiamilili assured Prime Minister Manele that PNG is always stands ready to support Solomon Islands Government, adding that Solomon Islands and PNG are a family.
PNG Police Commissioner Manning and his Solomon Islands counterpart Mostyn Mangau also pledged to continue working together to further enhance and operationalize security arrangements established between PNG and Solomon Islands.
The Tsiamilili led delegation arrived in Honiara for the bilateral talks and immediately left after their conclusion.
(PM’s PRESS SECRETARIAT/SOLSTAR)
