The country’s tenth foreign mission in Indonesia was officially unviwled by Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo yesterday in Jakarta,
Speaking at the opening Mr. Lilo said the opening marks an important day in the relationship between Solomon Islands and the Republic of Indonesia.
He described the opening very unique as it marked a new and exciting era as Solomon Islands joined the long list of regional and global governments to establish their missions in Jakarta.
Mr. Lilo said that the Government’s decision to establish its newest embassy in Jakarta is timely, and undoubtedly will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The Prime Minister said that Solomon Islands is a small Island developing state, however, it shares a common societal makeup similar to that of Indonesia.
“We are a country of many Islands, made up of different ethnic groups, languages, cultural practices and values, therefore we acknowledge the fact that our similarity has created a common basis for our cooperation,” he said that when addressing the invited guests.
Mr. Lilo said that Solomon Islands also recognises the importance of strengthening its engagement with Indonesia given its strategic location to markets in Asia and beyond.
He said that the emergence of Indonesia as a key economic player in ASEAN and its willingness to support the Pacific is also critical and “we are prepared to partner Indonesia for the benefit of our countries and regions.”
In addition to that, Mr Lilo added, Solomon Islands is willing to learn from the wealth of experiences that Indonesia can offer in terms of economic and sustainable development, the transfer of knowledge and technology as well as on global security issues.
Speaking on-behalf of the Indonesian Government Ambassador Yuri Octavian Thamrin, Director General of Asia, Pacific and African Affairs, Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that his country was very happy that Solomon Islands now opened its mission in Jakarta.
He said that the opening of the mission would allow the country to further deepen their engagements in areas of interest to the two countries.
The Solomon Islands Embassy is headed by His Excellency Salana Kalu.
Mr. Kalu said he was honoured to represent his country in Solomon Islands’ first mission in Jakarta.
– GCU
