VISITING Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne on Wednesday met with the Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Honiara.
A statement from the Prime Ministers Office said issues such as border security, labour mobility, infrastructure and the 2023 Games were discussed during the meeting.
Ms Payne also acknowledged the work on infrastructure and border security and stating the importance of having a facility to host the guardian class patrol boat.
She also encourages more Solomon Islanders to join the labour mobility program.
Minister Payne expressed Australia’s willingness to support the local sports elites to undergo training in Australia in preparation for the Pacific Games in 2023.
She further assured that any decisions made by the Solomon Islands Government is a sovereign one will not change the fundamentals of the relationship between Australia and Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare thanked Australia for her continued support to the Solomon Islands.
He acknowledged Australia’s assistance to the Solomon Islands during the ethnic unrest and in helping the country to get back to normalcy.
The PMP further acknowledged the importance of a foreign investment legislative regime as discussed by Payne to govern investment in the country.
Minister Payne also conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Scott Morrison to PM Sogavare.
