By HARLYNE JOKU
THE groundbreaking ceremony of the first-ever permanent chancery of the Solomon Islands abroad took place in Port Moresby PNG yesterday further enhancing strong ties between the two countries.
Solomon Islands foreign affairs and external trade minister William Haomae who officiated at the ceremony, said the occasion was historic and marked another milestone in the existing close and warm relations between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Mr Haomae said Solomon Islands regarded PNG as its closest Melanesian neighbour and a country it enjoyed special links with.
He said his government believed that the chancery would enable SI’s diplomatic representation in PNG to be boosted.
“PNG is an important partner for Solomon Islands in terms of trade and investment, economic governance, development cooperation assistance and political and security interests.
“Given its strategic and economical links with Asia and Pacific region, the Solomon Islands government believes that its diplomatic representation in PNG should be beefed up and strengthened to enable us to tap into the PNG environment,” Mr Haomae said.
He added that the chancery will serve to promote and advance the interest and presence of Solomon Islands in PNG as well as strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
In addition, Mr Haomae said it will serve as a centre of dissemination of information on Solomon Islands in PNG.
The SI high commission in Port Moresby is one of the newest of the diplomatic missions to be established abroad.
It was established in May 2000 to reflect the importance that SI attaches to its bilateral relations with PNG.