The prime minister of Solomon Islands says the country's partnership with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is a Pacific success story.
Manasseh Sogavare Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins
The mission departs Solomon Islands on Friday, having completed a 14-year peace building mission following a violent ethnic conflict in which hundreds of people were killed, and tens of thousands displaced, around the turn of the century.
During a special parliamentary session this morning, Manasseh Sogavare moved a motion tabling a joint report on the mission's activities since 2003.
Mr Sogavare urged all MPs to work together to build on what had been achieved through the partnership, saying anything less would show a lack of appreciation for all the Pacific mission had done for Solomon Islands.
"Today, Mr Speaker, RAMSI has achieved significant resolve for the Solomon Islands and the region and it is in this context, Mr Speaker, that RAMSI intervention reflects the importance of Pacific diplomacy, solidarity and cooperation."
Solomon Islands parliament Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins
Festivities to celebrate and farewell the mission continue this week in Solomon Islands with leaders and representatives from all 15 Pacific Forum Islands countries who contributed to the mission to converge on the capital Honiara for the final RAMSI farewell event on Thursday June 29 which has been declared a public holiday.