Training centre set up for forces to open soon

A BLACKHAWKE centre set up to train police and soldiers will be opened in PNG sometimes in the new year, it was agreed last week.
Though no timing was specified in discussions between Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Patrick Pruaitch and his Fijian counterpart Inia Seruiratu in Port Moresby last week, the centre is to be a regional one with the aim to involve personnel from PNG, Fiji and countries in the Pacific.
The centre was established with the assistance of Australia to train and equip defence and police personnel with appropriate skills in preparation for United Nations peacekeeping operations as well as humanitarian and disaster relief purposes.
The facility will be officially opened in 2020 and Fiji aims to have it UN-certified to enable its participant’s exposure to UN’s peacekeeping missions abroad.
Both ministers renewed and acknowledged the importance of building and strengthening bilateral relationships in continuing to maintain trust within the Melanesian sub-region through open dialogue and practical solution by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
The ministers also acknowledged and commended the Government, the Autonomous Bougainville government and the Bougainville Referendum Commission for the peaceful manner in which the recent referendum was conducted.
Pruaitch extended the Government’s appreciation of Fiji’s participation in the regional policing mission led by New Zealand in the referendum.
At the sub-regional level, discussions were held concerning the MSG and MSG governing bodies work programme for next year.