The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has told the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua that having diplomatic missions overseas is a very expensive exercise.
Deputy Foreign Secretary Senda Fifi'i made the comments to the Prime Minister when he visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade last week.He said the location of missions is very important especially in big cities where diplomats have to travel a long way to work.
Solomon Islands have diplomatic offices in Brussels, Belgium, at the United Nations in New York, Taipei in Taiwan, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Canberra in Australia, and in Suva, Fiji.
Mr Fifi'i said because of the cost to have offices in all countries Solomon Islands has diplomatic relations with, the Ministry has proposed to increase the scope of responsibilities under its current missions.
He said under the proposal, the high commission in Port Moresby would look after Solomon Islands' interests in South East Asia including Indonesia and Malaysia, the high commission in Canberra will look after Singapore, while the newly established high commission in Suva will look after Vanuatu.
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