(HONIARA (Pacnews) — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been invited by the U.S. State Department to attend the Pacific Islands Leaders Conference in Washington, D,C, in May.
The invitation was issued to Foreign Minister Patteson Oti in Washington Thursday when he met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Glynn Davis.
Oti and Davis also discussed a number of issues including political and security developments in the Pacific region including Solomon Islands relations with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
Oti clarified misunderstanding on the government’s position on RAMSI, especially those reported in the media
He briefed the State Department on the Solomon Islands government’s development commitment.
Oti also expressed Solomon Islands interests in accessing the Millennium Challenge account.
In related news, the Solomon Islands has welcomed the creation of a regional Global Environmental Fund focal point to assist Pacific countries including Solomon Islands.
Oti expressed the government’s approval of the initiative when he met with the chief executive officer of the GEF in Washington.
The Solomon Islands foreign affairs minister also expressed gratitude for the commitment of $80 million to $100 million from the GEF funds for the Pacific region.