The Solomon Islands Government will establish a Diplomatic Mission in New Zealand later this year.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. Clay Forau confirmed the initiative during bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart Hon. Murray McCully in New Zealand Friday last week.
The proposed Diplomatic Mission in New Zealand will elevate and advance Solomon Islands bilateral relations and contact with New Zealand to make way for more high level contacts with the New Zealand Government.
The Mission is also vital to explore and provide relevant advice to the Solomon Islands Government on Trade and Investment opportunities, education and training opportunities as well as provision of consular services to Solomon Islands citizens and nationals in New Zealand.
New Zealand Foreign Minister, Hon Murray McCully welcomed the Solomon Islands Government intention to establish its Diplomatic Mission there and pledged his Government’s strong support to assist in whatever way it can to help Solomon Islands establish its office in New Zealand.
“New Zealand is an important bilateral partner for Solomon Islands and our diplomatic presence in New Zealand will help strengthen and advance our bilateral relations,” Hon Forau explained.
A budget has been approved and allocated for the Mission in New Zealand this year and once all formalities and protocol clearance are completed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade will proceed with the ground work for the establishment of the New Zealand mission.
Minister Forau is currently in New Zealand for bilateral talks with the New Zealand Government and scheduled to meet with other New Zealand Government Minister and officials in Wellington and Auckland this week. He is being accompanied by the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Mr Bernard Bata’anisia.
