VISA services will still be managed out of the United States Embassy in Papua New Guinea for those wishing to travel to the States.
In a press conference at Heritage Park Hotel, United States National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Dr Kurt Campbell said the United States is aware that having the visa services offered in Solomon Islands is what Solomons people want.
However, Dr Campbell said consular services will remain in Port Moresby.
“…our consular services will remain there for the time being, primarily because the demand isn’t here for such services.
“To be quite frank, if we get to a point where the demand necessitates opening up – more, bigger, fuller concert operations – we will certainly look at that,” Dr Campbell said.
“I want to just give kudos to your government, because this is an issue that your foreign minister raised directly with us.”
Dr Campbell and his delegation arrived in the country on Monday to meet with senior government officials and the Opposition to reaffirm their commitment to the bilateral relationship, mutual prosperity and sovereignty.
He assured Solomon Islands that with a strong representative from the State Department they will work hard to it through as one of their priorities now is to enhance people to people exchanges educationally.
“…the best we can give you is that right now we’re going to study the parameters of this and see whether it’s appropriate, but we are looking for ways to enhance people to people exchanges educationally in and we recognize one way to do that is to feel skills, facilitate ease of travel,” Dr Campbell said.
The Top US delegation left the country for Vanuatu after the press conference yesterday.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Honiara
