Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says his visit to Indonesia has opened a new door of ‘rare’ international relationship between Honiara and Jakarta.
He said he believes this ‘rare’ international relationship will translate into much economic benefits for the Pacific Island nation in the next few years.
PM Manele was speaking at a press conference last Friday after his return from Indonesia for the inauguration of its new President Prabowo Subianto.
The PM said the benefits of this trip transpired from his bilateral meeting with the new President following his inauguration.
He said President Subianto ‘genuinely’ expressed gratitude to him for accepting the invitation to his (President Subianto’s) inauguration.
PM Manele said he thanked the President for Indonesia’s contribution towards Solomon Islands hosting of the 17th Pacific Games through its funding of the Friendship Hall and also the Poly Clinic at Burns Creek, which hopefully will be handed over to the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church before the end of this year
The PM said in terms of ongoing issues relating to West Papua, his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) believes the best way to address them is to work with Jakarta to ensure they address human rights violations and adopt strategies that will address issues such as land rights or access to land and resources.
“Like the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA), GNUT respects Indonesia’s sovereignty and will continue to work with Indonesia on diplomatic solutions and through the United Nations processes that are already in existence,” he added.
He said as a Christian nation, Solomon Islands condemns all human rights violations wherever they happen, adding that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading United Nations agency or body to deal with human rights violations.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has responded to the Opposition Leader Matthew Wale urging him to learn his geography before taking a stand on the matter of West Papua.
West Papua was and is still under Indonesia’s sovereign rule; therefore, any issues pertaining to West Papua have to be pursued through the Indonesian government.
The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) recognised Indonesia’s sovereign right over West Papua and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the Indonesian government on the ongoing issues faced by West Papuans.
After the inauguration of the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto last week, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele held a brief bilateral meeting with the President.
Among issues discussed by the leaders was the need for closer collaboration on issues affecting West Papuans.
Bilaterally, GNUT will continue to engage constructively with the Indonesian government on the issue of West Papua. On the regional front, GNUT will continue to work with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to find a long- lasting solution to West Papua’s plight.
The MSG intends to initiate a fact- finding mission to West Papua, among other objectives, to verify the reports of humanitarian violations. The Solomon Islands supports the MSG’s initiative.
As a Christian country, Solomon Islands will condemn any evidence- based human rights violations.
