BY JUNELYN KELLY
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has received a farewell courtesy call from the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Solomon Islands, HE Andriana Supandy.
The meeting on Sunday marked the conclusion of Ambassador Supandy’s diplomatic tenure, following the presentation of his credentials in August 2019, a statement from the PM Press Secretariat yesterday said.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect on the strong and steadily growing bilateral relationship between Solomon Islands and Indonesia.
Manele appreciates Indonesia’s continued support to Solomon Islands across sectors including education, trade, agriculture, fisheries, sports, policing cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Highlighting the funding and construction of the multi-purpose Friendship Hall as a major milestone in bilateral cooperation, Manele noted that the facility has since supported major sporting events and hosted important regional and international meetings, including the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
He also conveyed appreciation for Indonesia’s support towards the successful hosting of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Supandy conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of the President of the Indonesia to Prime Minister Manele.
He also thanked the Prime Minister for his support to Indonesia, including during his tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs, and expressed appreciation for having witnessed the opening of the 2023 Pacific Games during his posting, the statement said.
Ambassador Supandy informed Prime Minister Manele of Indonesia’s plan to dispatch a scoping mission to Solomon Islands to assess priority areas and better understand the needs and aspirations of the Solomon Islands people.
Manele welcomed the initiative, noting that it would further enhance and strengthen Indonesia’s development cooperation and engagement with Solomon Islands.
Manele acknowledged ongoing and future areas of cooperation between the two countries, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on education, police cooperation initiatives, women empowerment, and capacity-building programs.
Discussions also covered potential collaboration in health, tourism, civil registration, aviation, visa waiver arrangements, and shared interests in marine conservation, agriculture, and the sustainable use and management of ocean resources, including the Coral Triangle Initiative, of which both Indonesia and Solomon Islands are members of, the statement said.
“You have done very well,” Prime Minister Manele said, noting that Ambassador Supandy had facilitated many important initiatives and projects that have contributed to deepening the friendship between Solomon Islands and Indonesia.
The Prime Minister reaffirms Solomon Islands’ respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty and emphasised the many common interests shared by both archipelagic countries.
He expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to strengthen and said he looks forward to working closely with the incoming Indonesian Ambassador.
Prime Minister Manele also noted that Solomon Islands will mark its 50th Independence Anniversary in 2028 and expressed his anticipation of celebrating the nation’s achievements together with its development partners, including Indonesia.
Photo: PM Press Secretariat
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