The Vanuatu government says it is open to dialogue with Indonesia over the West Papua bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
March in support of West Papua in Vanuatu's Port Vila Photo: RNZI / Hilaire Bule
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua last week submitted its membership application to the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila.
The Public Relations officer for Vanuatu's prime minister says the government will support the application when a decision is expected at the MSG leaders summit in Honiara mid-year.
Kiery Manassah says Vanuatu respects its diplomatic position with Indonesia, but will never accept rights abuse against fellow Melanesians.
"If there is a need for dialogue with Indonesia, of course we believe that now the Indonesians are part of the MSG, they could play a role in there we believe that as long as the rights of the indigenous West Papuans continues to be infringed, we will continue to support them in relation to their fight to attain self-determination."
The Public Relations officer for Vanuatu's prime minister, Kiery Manassah.