ECM on RAMSI holds 5th meeting
PRESS STATEMENT (23/09)
14th May 2009
ENHANCED CONSULTATIVE MECHANISM ON RAMSI HOLDS 5TH MEETING
The 5th meeting of the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) commenced in Honiara on 13 May 2009 with discussions on important issues relating to RAMSI and its work in the Solomon Islands.
The Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM) comprises senior officials from the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI and the Pacific Islands Forum. The ECM meeting precedes a meeting of the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee (FMSC) on RAMSI which will be held in Honiara tomorrow..
In opening the ECM meeting, Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations, Hon. William Haomae, MP said that since the last ECM, there has been significant progress made in the implementation of decisions made.
“The Solomon Islands Government is committed to this consultative process and it is important you, as officials, continue to exchange views, in an honest and frank manner to ensure issues are addressed amicably. I am confident, in the spirit of our partnership, you will do that today.
“I am pleased to note that the partnership between SIG and RAMSI has been very cordial and positive. The programs under various sectors, although challenging have been implemented, reporting process have been channeled through my Ministry, the Foreign Relations Committee almost concludes its review of RAMSI, Truth and Reconciliation Commission being launched and the stakeholders have been very cooperative with each other. This is a clear manifestation of the cooperative spirit prevalent between Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI – not forgetting the important role the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat plays in the process,” Mr Haomae said
He added: “This meeting will be very important as far as the SIG/RAMSI partnership is concerned. The new Partnership Framework, as you all know, has been discussed and finalized by officials of both Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI. I know that it has been a difficult task however, officials of both parties have managed to complete a draft Framework which will now guide the future work of RAMSI.”
“This Framework document will become the living document that will pave the beginning of a renewed Partnership between SIG and RAMSI – it will be a partnership that is based on understanding and respect to all stakeholders and it is a partnership that hopes to bring betterment to the people of Solomon Islands.
“But let me remind us that this document should not restrict us from finding better ways to improve on our new partnership. It is a new framework that should be improved as we go along in the process. In this regards, I wish to inform this meeting that Solomon Islands Government fully supports this new Partnership Framework as it now defines the new path of cooperation between the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI,” said Mr Haomae
The Pacific Islands Forum is represented at the ECM meeting by officials from Niue, Tonga, Australia and the Forum Secretariat, as well as the newly appointed Forum Representative to Solomon Islands, Mr Sakiusa Rabuka.
The Forum Ministerial Standing Committee will meet on Friday this week. The meeting will be attended by Ministers and high level representatives from the Solomon Islands, Australia, Niue and Tonga, the RAMSI Special Coordinator Mr Graeme Wilson, and Mr Rabuka.
ENDS.
For more information, contact Ms Desna M. Solofa, the Forum Secretariat’s Political Issues Adviser on phone 677 20071 or email: desnas@forumsec.org.fj
14th May 2009
ENHANCED CONSULTATIVE MECHANISM ON RAMSI HOLDS 5TH MEETING
The 5th meeting of the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) commenced in Honiara on 13 May 2009 with discussions on important issues relating to RAMSI and its work in the Solomon Islands.
The Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM) comprises senior officials from the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI and the Pacific Islands Forum. The ECM meeting precedes a meeting of the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee (FMSC) on RAMSI which will be held in Honiara tomorrow..
In opening the ECM meeting, Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations, Hon. William Haomae, MP said that since the last ECM, there has been significant progress made in the implementation of decisions made.
“The Solomon Islands Government is committed to this consultative process and it is important you, as officials, continue to exchange views, in an honest and frank manner to ensure issues are addressed amicably. I am confident, in the spirit of our partnership, you will do that today.
“I am pleased to note that the partnership between SIG and RAMSI has been very cordial and positive. The programs under various sectors, although challenging have been implemented, reporting process have been channeled through my Ministry, the Foreign Relations Committee almost concludes its review of RAMSI, Truth and Reconciliation Commission being launched and the stakeholders have been very cooperative with each other. This is a clear manifestation of the cooperative spirit prevalent between Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI – not forgetting the important role the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat plays in the process,” Mr Haomae said
He added: “This meeting will be very important as far as the SIG/RAMSI partnership is concerned. The new Partnership Framework, as you all know, has been discussed and finalized by officials of both Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI. I know that it has been a difficult task however, officials of both parties have managed to complete a draft Framework which will now guide the future work of RAMSI.”
“This Framework document will become the living document that will pave the beginning of a renewed Partnership between SIG and RAMSI – it will be a partnership that is based on understanding and respect to all stakeholders and it is a partnership that hopes to bring betterment to the people of Solomon Islands.
“But let me remind us that this document should not restrict us from finding better ways to improve on our new partnership. It is a new framework that should be improved as we go along in the process. In this regards, I wish to inform this meeting that Solomon Islands Government fully supports this new Partnership Framework as it now defines the new path of cooperation between the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI,” said Mr Haomae
The Pacific Islands Forum is represented at the ECM meeting by officials from Niue, Tonga, Australia and the Forum Secretariat, as well as the newly appointed Forum Representative to Solomon Islands, Mr Sakiusa Rabuka.
The Forum Ministerial Standing Committee will meet on Friday this week. The meeting will be attended by Ministers and high level representatives from the Solomon Islands, Australia, Niue and Tonga, the RAMSI Special Coordinator Mr Graeme Wilson, and Mr Rabuka.
ENDS.
For more information, contact Ms Desna M. Solofa, the Forum Secretariat’s Political Issues Adviser on phone 677 20071 or email: desnas@forumsec.org.fj
