MP opens group meeting in Fiji

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Patrick Pruaitch officially opened the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji, yesterday, in his capacity as the chair of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting (FMM).
Pruaitch encouraged his colleague ministers and MSG officials not to lose sight of the sub-regional diplomacy and friendly relations, so as to maintain peace and harmony and to encourage free trade, economic and technical trade and promote Melanesian traditions and cultures.
He also highlighted threats and challenges in the region caused by modernity and climate change, in particular, regional security threats, including that of economic trade imbalances, environmental degradation, challenges to good governance and theft of cultural and traditional heritage and practices.
Calling for a united front, Pruaitch urged his colleagues to counter the challenges and turn them into opportunities while giving special mention and gratitude to his Fijian counterpart.