Marape meets SI envoy

SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner Barnabas Anga met with Prime Minister James Marape on Monday to discuss the need for closer cooperation in dealing with important bilateral issues as well as sub-regional issues through the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
Marape said the close working relationship he had built with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare over the years would set the basis for a more meaningful and practical collaboration in addressing maritime, border protection and security issues such as illegal fishing and transnational crimes.
Both governments agreed to implement the Police Cooperation Agreement.
Marape also assured Anga of PNG’s commitment to pursue and honour outstanding issues including the facilitation of scholarships and visas for Solomon Island students at various tertiary institutions in PNG, including Pacific Adventist University, University of Goroka and University of Technology.
Furthermore, Marape also pledged to support the Solomon Islands government host the 2023 Pacific Games.
Anga congratulated Marape on his recent election as prime minister and expressed his appreciation for his commitment to work with the Solomon Islands government on the issues.
On sub-regional issues, Marape as current chair-in-office of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, (MSG) said the Department of Foreign Affairs was liaising with the MSG Secretariat to firm up arrangements for this year’s Special Leaders’ Summit.