AUSTRALIAN SENIOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICIAL VISITS PM SOGAVARE
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Australian senior Foreign Affairs official, Deputy Secretary Ric Wells. Photo credit: OPMC.
Australian Senior foreign affairs official Deputy Secretary, Ric Wells from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Deputy Secretary Wells is on a three-day visit to Solomon Islands.
A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office says as the Deputy Secretary with oversight for Pacific foreign trade and aid policy, Mr. Wells conveyed Australia’s strong commitment to security and stability in Solomon Islands.
This commitment extends beyond the winding up of RAMSI next year, and it is a bipartisan commitment supported by successive Australian governments of both the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party.
The statement says Prime Minister Sogavare was appreciative of the gesture shown by Australia on its commitment to maintain law and order in Solomon Islands post-RAMSI.
Meanwhile, detailed consultations on bilateral security and police cooperation after RAMSI will resume after the Australian Federal election on 2 July.
DFAT’s third largest overseas diplomatic mission is in Solomon Islands and Mr. Wells is meeting all Australian High Commission staff to provide policy and corporate guidance.
Mr. Wells will also visit the National Referral Hospital, Woodford International School, and the FFA.
He was accompanied to the courtesy meeting by Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Andrew Byrne.