RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley today thanked Papua New Guinea for being a true friend to Solomon Islands through its contribution to the regional assistance mission.

Marking Papua New Guinea’s 31st anniversary of Independence on 16 September, Mr Batley paid tribute to the people and government of Papua New Guinea for the strength of their commitment to RAMSI which included civilian, police and military support.

Mr Batley said that Papua New Guinea had been a key member of RAMSI from July 2003.

Currently a platoon from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force is serving as part of RAMSI’s military contingent, and a contingent of six members from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is working as part of the Participating Police Force.  Since 2003 a total of 210 soldiers and officers from the PNGDF have served as part of the RAMSI military, and 26 members of the RPNGC have served in the PPF.

“The skills and understanding of members of the RPNGC and PNGDF have helped us on many occasions; they are often at the forefront of our interaction with the community because they share a common Melanesian background with the majority of Solomon Islanders,” Mr Batley said.

“Experienced civilian advisers from Papua New Guinea have also done fine work rebuilding key institutions in Solomon Islands, in areas including law and justice sector, accountability and finance,” Mr Batley said.

Mr Batley noted that during the recent Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Honiara, Papua New Guinea’s then Finance Minister Bart Philemon met PNG members of RAMSI to express support for their work.