Australian High Commissioner designate to be received by Sogavare today

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will today receive the Australian High Commissioner designate to Solomon islands, Peter Hooton.

Mr Hooton will formally present his credentials to the Prime Minister at the office of the Prime Minister today afternoon.

Since arriving in the country in early January, government had deferred an appointment for Mr Hooton to present his credentials because of the ongoing rift in diplomatic relations between Canberra and Honiara.

Prime Minister Sogavare stated earlier that he was prepared to facilitate the ceremony for Mr Hooton to present his credentials.

Mr Sogavare says he had nothing personal against Mr Hooton as an individual, and looks on Australia as a close ally and friend of Solomon Islands as had been for the last 100 years or more.

He says differences in opinions held by political leaders of the two sovereign nations are different matters.

Source: SIBC