PNG AND SOLOMONS FOREIGN MINISTERS SIGN AGREEMENT
Foreign Affairs Minister Clay Forau signs the education agreement assisted by his PS Beraki Jino. Photo credit: OPMC.
The Foreign Ministers of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the implementation of PNG’s support towards tertiary education for Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Clay Forau and his PNG counterpart Rimbink Pato signed the documents in the presence of Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and Minister for Education Dick Ha’amori.
The signing paves the way for the implementation of PNG Government to sponsor 800 scholarships for Solomon Islanders to study in PNG institutions.
Prime Minister Lilo congratulated the Ministers saying PNG’s support for Solomon Islands is a gesture of true Melanesian brotherhood.
Prime Minister Lilo and Minister Pato also discussed areas including border security issues between the two countries and PNG’s assistance to set up the Solomon Islands Political Party Registry Office.
A six-member team from PNG Political Party Registry Office spent a week in Solomon Islands to help officials from the Prime Minister’s Office to set up a Registry Office in Honiara.
Meanwhile, Minister Pato also offered his Government’s willingness to offer local expertise to help Solomon Islands Government assess the Gold Ridge Mining site.
The mine was closed after the departure of Saint Barbara Ltd during the heavy rain and floods early last month.