Foreign ministers of Melanesian Spearhead Group member countries are meeting in Honiara today and tomorrow ahead of the leaders summit later this week.
They are considering a formal application for full membership in the MSG submitted by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
Flags of Melanesian Spearhead Group member states. From left: flags of Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, FLNKS (New Caledonia's indigenous Kanak movement). Photo: suppl
The foreign ministers have today heard from members of the ULMWP presenting their case for membership.
One of those present, Fiji's foreign minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, has indicated the MSG is also considering a bid for greater status within the group from Indonesia, which currently has observer status.
Leaders of MSG states are due in Honiara for the opening of their summit on Wednesday and are expected to make an announcement on the respective membership bids by Friday.