OUTGOING European Union Ambassador Leonidas Tezapsidis paid a farewell courtesy call to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela yesterday.
Mr Tezapsidis during the visit explained the reasons behind the EU’s repositioning in the Pacific region.
He said the Pacific region is diverse and EU feels it is more strategic to be operating from a central hub.
He said the central hub will be in Suva which will look after 13 countries in the Pacific region including Solomon Islands.
Despite this new arrangement, the outgoing Ambassador said EU will continue to increase its support to Solomon Islands.
“EU will continue to support the Solomon Islands,” he said.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said EU has always been a friend to Solomon Islands.
However, he said it was unfortunate that EU has made a decision to move away from Honiara.
“It is unfortunate that EU is moving away but I hope they will take time to reconsider their presence in the Solomon Islands,” he said.
The Prime Minister has conveyed his best wishes to the outgoing Ambassador in his future endeavours.
–OPMC PRESS
