SI and Taiwan leaders held fruitful talks in Marshall Islands

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian had a fruitful bilateral talk on Saturday in Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Deli Oso reports from Majuro that during the talks both leaders re-affirmed their commitment to both existing and proposed cooperation programmes between their two countries including a free trade agreement.

Ms Oso says the existing cooperation programmes are on health, education agriculture, security, environment and culture.

The proposed programmes will be on trade investment and labour mobility and a volunteer service scheme.

A framework agreement was signed earlier this year and one of the terms was for a joint consultative meeting between the two foreign ministers of Solomon Islands and Taiwan to review the cooperation programmes.

Speaking after the bilateral talk, Prime Minister Sogavare said he was happy with the outcome of his meeting with President Chen.

Mr Sogavare said Solomon Islands embassy would follow up on the issues they discussed.

He said Taipei had already agreed in principle to the proposal and the next step was for both parties to set a time frame for negotiation of the terms and conditions for an agreement.

Source: SIBC