APPLICATIONS FOR M.S.G MEMBERSHIP NOT ORDINARY: SOGAVARE

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the applications for new membership into the Melanesian Spearhead Group at this 20th MSG Leaders Summit are not ordinary.

The Prime Minister made this comment when delivering his keynote address at the official opening of the 20th Leaders MSG Summit this morning.

He says the applications challenge many of the fundamental values that Melanesians profess to uphold as members of the United Nations and countries founded on the principals of Christianity.

“From the original three countries namely; Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, we have seen the admission of the FLNKS and later Fiji as full members. In 2011, we have Indonesia and Timor-Leste as observers. Well, at this summit I note we have applications for new membership to consider. They are not ordinary applications, they are applications that challenge many of the fundamental values that we in Melanesia profess to uphold as members of the United Nations and countries founded on the principles of Christianity.”

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare adds because of the applications for new membership to the MSG, all eyes will be on Solomon Islands, calling for every MSG leaders to stand for what is right.

“Because of that all eyes will be on Honiara and the world will be watching us, eagerly anticipating what the outcome will be when we deliberate on the application for new membership to MSG. Let us not forget, let us not forget the dreams and wishes of our people to be part of a Melanesian family. The desire of our people for an inclusive MSG, an MSG that is able to stand for what is right in the world where such values are now struggling to survive. As a matter of fact, the deliberations on this application will test our commitment to a caring, progressive, peaceful and inclusive MSG.”

The 20th Leaders MSG summit has been officially opened this morning at the National Museum Outdoor Auditorium in Honiara.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reminds MSG Leaders, this week is an ultimate test of members claim to civilization and good corporate citizens of planet earth.

Speaking during this morning’s Official Forum opening, Mr Sogavare says MSG has expanded in membership and programmes since it formed more than 25 years ago.Mr Sogavare emphasised, at this Summit are applications for new membership to consider.

He urges all MSG leaders no to forget the dreams and wishes of our people to be part of the Melanesian family- the desire of our people for an inclusive MSG.He

He says deliberations on these applications will test members commitment to a caring, progressive, peaceful and inclusive MSG.

Prime Minister Sogavare says, it will also test members commitment to the basic principles of human rights and rule of law as embedded in the United Nation Charters, which the MSG as members of the United Nations subscribe to.