A delegation from the United States Government led by Senator Marsha Blackburn made a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara Wednesday.
The purpose of Senator Blackburn’s visit is to provide a member of the U.S Senate Armed Services Committee the opportunity to engage senior leaders from Solomon Islands and to facilitate high-level military and foreign policy discussions including the relationship they have to the strategic security challenges in the region.
The two leaders discussed issues on Solomon Islands-U.S diplomatic relations which was formalised on 09 October 1978. Formal ties between the two countries spans over forty 40 years, with engagements in security, economic sector and people-to-people interactions.
They also discussed the establishment of a U.S Embassy in the Solomon Islands and noted the progress made with the establishment of the Embassy in Honiara after 29 years, which is in response to the Solomon Islands Government’s call for a more meaningful engagement with the U.S.
Prime Minister Sogavare welcomed the appointment of a Charge de Affairs in Honiara to oversee operations and the bilateral relations in the interim until a substantive Head of Mission is appointed while also acknowledging that a permanent U.S presence in the Solomon Islands will strengthen relations between the United States and Solomon Islands, and augurs well for the bilateral partnership going forward.
Sogavare also expressed hopes to see an Ambassador appointed as the Head of Mission, in order to fully engage with the Solomon Islands Government on all development issues including the Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihoods and Environment (SCALE) Program and hoped the SCALE program and other development programmes are extended to other provinces as well.
Other areas discussed include the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Programme the Draft Partnership Framework for Development Cooperation between SI and US, the Peace Corps Program in Solomon Islands, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), U.S Support with COVID-19 Vaccines, Bilateral Economic Relations – US Treaty Agreement and Market access for Kava in U.S.
Senator Blackburn was accompanied by Emily Manning, National Security Advisor, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Major Mike Jones, Senate Liaison Officer, Marine Senate Liaison Office, with U.S Mission to Solomon Islands Representatives, Charge d’Affairs, Russell Comeau, and Graham Barker, Political and Economic Chief.
The Prime Minister’s delegation included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, Secretary to Cabinet James Remobatu, Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Karen Galokale and Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister Tony Kabasi.
SOURCE: SIBC/PACNEWS
