New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Her Excellency Georgina Roberts on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC), a statement issued by the Prime Minister Press Secretariat said.
High Commissioner Roberts during the meeting commended PM for his personal dedication and commitment to managing the ongoing response to COVID-19, the statement added.
She also acknowledged the critical role played by senior officials and frontline workers in continuing to robustly manage the impacts of Covid-19 in Solomon Islands.
The High Commissioner said, her country also stands ready to support in its development aspirations and Covid-19 plans for the country.
“We will continue to do what we have committed to achieve, and we will look for new opportunities to deepen our partnership with Solomon Islands,” she said.
“We respect the character and nature of our particular partnership and aim to remain a valuable and valued friend,” she said.
Ms. Roberts said New Zealand is keen to engage more with Solomon Islands, and to be responsive to emerging areas of need. This includes their willingness to support the Government in its Covid-19 vaccination roll out program.
High Commissioner Roberts also briefed the PM on the progress of the Multi-purpose hall facility and other programs in education, aviation, tourism, health, and economic growth.
She also highlighted that work on the provincial airfields upgrade is progressing well, noting that a new milestone in the project had been taken yesterday with the release of tender documents.
Prime Minister Sogavare in response thanked the High Commissioner, paying tribute to the great work by government officials and front liners for continuing to provide sound advice to the Government.
The Prime Minister informed the New Zealand High Commissioner that the Government’s two objectives now are to protect citizens of the country and to keep the economy afloat.
“I hope the spirit of togetherness and the level of commitment shown during this pandemic can be carried on into the future,” he said.
PM Sogavare also acknowledged New Zealand for always standing tall with Solomon Islands during good and bad times.
“New Zealand will always be a strong and important partner to Solomon Islands,” he said.
Prime Minister Sogavare said Solomon Islands looks forward to more engagements and opportunities with New Zealand going forward.
