Solomon Islands' PM meets Australian counter-part

Prime Minister Doctor Derek Sikua will meet his Australian counter-part, Kevin Rudd today.

This will be the first time the two leaders meet after they both took over government late last year.

SIBC's Walter Nalangu who is travelling with the Prime Minister's delegation reports that although the meeting will not be long it is expected that they will touch on a number of issues of interest to both countries.

The Prime Minister Dr Sikua this morning visited an Australian Federal Police Base where they train police officers before deployment overseas, these include officers deployed to the Solomon Islands under RAMSI.

Assistant Police Commissioner looking after the base told the Prime Minister that more than 400 regional police officers have gone through training at the base before being deployed to Solomon Islands under RAMSI.

Some 18 Solomon Islands police officers have also passed through the base both as trainees and trainers.

The Australia Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Jevtovic said the number of regional police officers coming through the base is expected to increase.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister William Haomae had an audience today with Australia's parliamentary secretary Duncan Kerr.

Mr Haomae is also travelling with the Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua.

Source: SIBC