BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ “friends to all” foreign policy stance, stressing that the government’s recent engagements with Australia and New Zealand do not signal a shift away from China.
Speaking to local media yesterday, Prime Minister Wale said the trip’s aim was to reset and strengthen relationships with the two traditional partners.
“Our visit is to reset the relationship between Australia and New Zealand. It has nothing to do with China,” Wale said.
“China is our friend and it remains our friend. When we say we are friends to all, let’s mean it.”
The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands must maintain balanced diplomatic relations with all partners and avoid favouring only selected countries.
“We cannot repeat the same mistake last time — friends to all, but it seems they are friends to a few only,” he said.
His comments come amid ongoing public interest over the future of Solomon Islands’ security relationship with China and whether the government intends to review the controversial security agreement signed under the Sogavare administration.
Prime Minister Wale acknowledged concerns surrounding the agreement but explained that details remain confidential due to non-disclosure provisions attached to the deal.
“Unfortunately, because of one of the previous governments, this security agreement with China has a non-disclosure arrangement, so we can’t disclose it,” he said.
However, Wale reiterated his government’s commitment to transparency and parliamentary oversight on international agreements.
“All matters to do with treaties, in my view, must go to Parliament,” he said.
“When a government signs an agreement with another party, it must come to Parliament and be open to parliamentary scrutiny.”
The Prime Minister said executive decisions involving international agreements should not be done without proper oversight, warning that lack of scrutiny could undermine public trust.
Wale assured the public that his administration will pursue a more transparent approach in future international engagements.
“We’ll be doing everything openly for transparency,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Australia and New Zealand is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts by the coalition government to strengthen regional cooperation while maintaining broader international partnerships under its “friends to all” policy direction.
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