Jeremiah Manele, right, and Al Zeyoudi Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi at the opening of Solomon Islands new Embassy in the United Arab Emirates. 2 October 2024 Photo: Solomon Islands Government
The Solomon Islands opened its new embassy in the Abu Dhabi on Monday "to enhance, strengthen, and advance" its relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who inaugurated the Solomon Islands' permanent presence in The Emirates, said the opening of the embassy "has built a bridge of friendship that shortens the distance between our two countries".
Manele is hoping that it translates into win-win outcomes for both countries, which began bilateral relations in 2010.
"There are huge opportunities for Solomon Islands to explore and benefit from, in its engagement with the UAE, and we look forward to working closely on areas of cooperation that will be mutually beneficial to both our two countries", he said.
According to the Solomon Islanders government, there are six Solomon Islanders who serve in the UAE Airforce as aircraft engineers and Honiara wants to strengthen cooperation on the area of labour mobility with the UAE.
The government of the UAE has also provided funding assistance in the area of renewable energy, it said.
Solomon Islands Ambassador to The Emirates, Cornelius Walegera, the embassy's immediate task is to finalise draft memorandums of understanding and agreements to enable their implementation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Al Zeyoudi Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi the embassy is an important milestone in the flourishing relations between the two nations.