PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently received a courtesy visit from the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Solomon Islands His Excellency Mesaad Ibrahim Al-Sulaim at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
H.E Al-Sulaim used the opportunity to reaffirm Saudi Arabia’s commitment to assist the Solomon Islands in its development aspirations, a statement from the Prime Minister Press Secretariat said.
The Ambassador stated that Saudi Arabia is committed to strengthening the relationship between both countries.
Prime Minister Sogavare in response expressed the Government’s excitement over the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Solomon Islands.
He acknowledged the need to foster the relationship between both countries.
Mr Sogavare also discussed issues on Climate Change and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) with the Ambassador.
Acknowledging climate change impacts as a strong concern for the Solomon Islands and other small island countries, the Prime Minister also reiterated the urgent need to continue the fight against NCDs in the country.
“The fight against the impacts of climate change is so close to our hearts and while we have a great concern with its impacts in our country and to our pacific neighbours, we are also concerned with the high number of deaths caused by NCDs,” he stated.
Prime Minister Sogavare believes in the importance to establish a technical cooperation framework, which can provide guidelines for the bilateral relationship between both countries.
Ambassador AL-Sulaim described the Solomon Islands as a peaceful country and acknowledged the friendliness of Solomon Islanders.
The Solomon Islands and Saudi Arabia established bilateral relations on 17 July 2014.
