PM Sogavare departs for Taiwanese Ally meeting in Marshall Islands today

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is flies out of Honiara for the 2007 Taiwan/Pacific Islands summit in Majuro, Marshall Islands today.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by his wife, Emmy Sogavare and a six member government delegation including the Minister for Provincial Government and Constituency Development, Japhet Waipora.

The 2007 summit is the second such meeting for Taiwan and the leaders of its Pacific islands allies, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Palau, Kirabati and Solomon Islands.

The first summit was held in Palau last year.

The annual meeting is based on Taiwan and its allies’ common belief on the fundamental principles of democracy, good governance, sustainable development, human rights and dignity.

This year’s nine day summit begins this Friday and will cover presentations on the progress and achievements in the implementation of the 2006 Palau Declarations.

There will be discussions on health, medical and environment protection issues.

The summit will conclude with the signing of a declaration to be called the Marshall Islands Declaration.

The Prime Minister and his delegation will fly straight after the summit to Taiwan where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian.

The delegation will return to Solomon Islands on Friday 19th, 2007.

The delegation’s trip to Marshall Islands and Taiwan is funded by the Taiwanese government.

Source: SIBC