Solomon Islands first ever Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia Salana Kalu has thanked Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his role in prioritizing Solomon Islands bilateral relations and cooperation with Indonesia.
Ambassador Kalu presented his credentials to President Yudhoyono on Monday 21st July at the “Instana Merdeka Palace” in Jakarta where he thanked the President for accepting his letter of credence and accrediting him as the first Ambassador of Solomon Islands to the Republic of Indonesia.
At the ceremony, President Yudhoyono said the establishment of the Solomon Islands Embassy in Jakarta is one of the achievements founded on the outcome of a meeting between him and Prime Minister Lilo in early August 2013 in Jakarta.
President Yudhoyono acknowledged that he had met with Prime Minister Lilo twice in his capacity as President, and he further ascertained that there are many areas and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
He said the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and the establishment of Solomon Islands Embassy in Jakarta is timely.
Ambassador Kalu now heads the newly established Solomon Islands Embassy in Jakarta that has been in operation since 21st May this year. The Embassy will be officially opened by the Prime Minister Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo on the 5th of August 2014.
Before taking up his new task, Ambassador Salana Kalu is a carrier diplomat serving formerly as Chief of Protocol, Assistant Secretary for Asia, Africa and the Middle East Branch, Charge d affaires of the Solomon Islands High Commission in Malaysia, and the Deputy Secretary (Supervising) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade from 2007 until 14th May 2014.
