Melanesian Spearhead Group

Melanesian Spearhead Group talks partnership with China

A meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila where the MSG secretariat is also located.

A new multi-lateral approach is being heralded by the MSG secretariat, representing the group's five full members Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG and New Caledonia's Kanaks.

MSG Secretariat acting director general George Hoa'au met with Chinese officials and said China is willing to be part of the development aspirations of the MSG.

Solomon Islands last year cut long-running diplomatic ties with Taiwan to switch to China.

MSG no place for West Papua talks - director general

Mr Yauvoli told the Fiji Times human rights issues relating to West Papua should be dealt with by international organisations.

Speaking during a working group meeting in Nadi on Thursday, he said the MSG's common enemy is crime and politics should be set aside.

Earlier this week Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu said the MSG was failing because of a lack of political engagement.

 

     

Indonesia warns MSG states not to meddle in other countries' affairs

The warning was delivered by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry's Director General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs, Desra Percaya, at this week's MSG leaders summit.

The summit was hosted by Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby.

It was attended by leaders and officials from the other four full MSG members: Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks Movement.

Indonesia, which is an associate member, was represented by Mr Percaya who endorsed the MSG's plan on regional co-operation and common prosperity.

MSG to process West Papua membership bid

PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is hosting leaders from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji as well as a representative of New Caledonia's indigenous Kanak people.

A long-pending application for Spearhead membership by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, which has observer status in the group, is to be processed under new guidelines for membership.

It's unclear whether this means the decision is a technical or political one.

Port Moresby to host Melanesian leaders summit

Papua New Guinea's capital will host the summit from 10-15 February when PNG is to assume the MSG chairmanship from Solomon Islands.

The group also includes Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks Movement.

According to the secretariat, PNG's focus for discussions at the summit is on sustainable development goals outlined in the MSG 2038 Prosperity for All Plan.

It's been two-and-a-half years since the last full MSG leaders summit in Honiara, with a number of leaders' meeting deferred.

Indonesia hosts MSG police heads

The meeting is being chaired by Solomon Islands, as the current holder of the MSG chairmanship.

Other full members are Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks movement.

Discussions will focus on emerging trends of crime, as well as regional security issues and how MSG countries can contribute to UN operations around the world.

The meeting of police ministers is expected to discuss progress made on the Regional Police Academy initiative, for which Indonesia has offered the Pacific countries assistance.

Solomon Islands Signs Melanesian Free Trade Agreement

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who signed the agreement, pledged his government’s full support for ratification of the Trade Agreement, as formalities are set down.

The MSG Free Trade Agreement is an expansion of the former agreements and includes trade in services, investment and labour mobility.

Prime Minister Sogavare who is also the MSG Chair, was elated at the new development in the sub-regional trade deal saying the agreement signals a new area for trade within the Melanesian region.

MSG countries explore wider export markets

(FLNKS or Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste, a group of pro-independent parties in the French Territory of New Caledonia is a fifth member.)

Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was formed in 1986 with a focus on promoting economic growth among Melanesian countries. It is headquartered in Port Vila, Vanuatu. MSG member countries form the bulk of the Pacific Island population are larger in size and richer in natural resources than Polynesian island nations.

ULMWP accepts MSG decision and calls for greater support of West Papua

ULMWP spokesperson, Benny Wenda, said this could be seen as a delay tactic but ULMWP acknowledges the technical issues highlighted by the leaders and senior officials of the MSG.

The MSG special leaders’ summit on July 14, in the Solomon Islands, had agreed to defer the consideration of the application for full membership by ULMWP until membership criteria and guidelines are further developed.

West Papuans welcome decision by MSG

West Papuans have applied under the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMPW), a collaborative group comprised of united resistance organisations located both inside and outside of West Papua.

The MSG leaders said there was a criteria issue with the West Papuans' application, and the group's secretariat needed to establish guidelines for membership.

Despite the decision on whether the ULMPW can gain full membership of the MSG has been differed to September, the West Papuans are pleased that their application is being considered.