Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua is pleased with achievements made by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in improving law and order and systems of Government after seven years of intervention.

Dr Sikua announced the achievements at the opening of the 6th Forum Ministerial Standing Committee on RAMSI in Honiara on Friday.

He said the establishment of a Partnership Framework between the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI three years ago has considerably enhanced the mission's areas of responsibility.

Since the establishment of the partnership, the Solomon Islands Government has been actively participating in the process and it has already yielded positive results as far as strengthening the relationship between Solomon Islands and RAMSI is concerned.

Prime Minister Sikua said the framework so far has enabled both parties to address issues more openly and the relationship continues to grow from strength to strength.

"I am pleased to note from the 2009 Annual Report that significant achievements have been made in the various sectors of the country, notably within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, the Correctional Services, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Customs and Excise, Public Service and even with regards to the cross cutting issues such as the Capacity Development and Gender," Dr Sikua said.

The Prime Minister, however, noted that it is not easy to achieve results in such difficult circumstances but he has commend the close cooperation by the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI in ensuring results are achieved. He also noted that there remain huge challenges as results in some sectors are minimal or slow.

"These are the challenges that both SIG and RAMSI must work together to address and ensure we provide benefits to the people of Solomon Islands," Dr Sikua said.

Dr Sikua also acknowledged the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in the overall oversight role it played in the mission - declaring that RAMSI is one of the success stories of regionalism in the Pacific and urges leaders to build on this success for the benefit of not only Solomon Islands but the region.

The FMSC meeting was chaired by the Hon. Bob McMullan MP, Secretary for International Development Assistance of Australia, representing the Forum Chair.
Other members of the FMSC were the Hon. William Haomae, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands; the Hon. Maihetoe Hekau, Acting Minister for Police of Niue; and H.E. Mr Peter Eafeare, Special Representative for Papua New Guinea.


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