BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE European Union (EU) despite its decision to shut down its Honiara Office will still retain its official residence in the country.
Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) Jeremiah Manele during his Ministry’s farewell luncheon to the EU Ambassador to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, His Excellency Leonidas Tezapsidis, yesterday at the Mendana Hotel encouraged him to review the idea of leaving Solomon Islands permanently.
“I am glad that you are retaining your residence and I hope in the next coming years, your bosses in Brussels will be able to review positions,” said Manele.
“We know that there are job political considerations and developments in the world that do determine some of these actions but we hope that you will one day think seriously to return.”
Tezapsidis during his farewell remarks reminded that though EU is closing its office, they hope that it will not be forever.
“And the move to keep the residence is a first step,” he said.
“Things go in cycles, the houring is to improve as a matter of fact our efficiency by not spreading. That was a decision taken to not spread our limited resources especially in the Pacific in many countries, but concentrate in one and two countries (PNG and Fiji) in order to be more efficient and effective.”
He explained that in Fiji, they now have practically all the expertise.
“While here, we have the Ambassador and the administration but not all the experts that are needed,” said Tezapsidis.
“So I hope even now from Fiji that things will work better. It is even better to be close to our partners.”
ENDS/////////////////// USE A PIC OF AMBASSADOR TEZAPSIDIS
