29 Jan 2009

New Zealand's PM says NZ will keep on supporting RAMSI

11:23 am on 29 January 2009

The New Zealand prime minister says despite its recent success, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands is expected to remain in place for at least another three to five years.

John Key gave the assessment after meeting the Solomon Islands prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua, and visiting the RAMSI headquarters in Honiara.

RAMSI was deployed in 2003 following an invitation by the Solomon's government which faced by a breakdown in law and order.

Mr Key says New Zealand will need to maintain its support.

"The indications we have had is that it would be quite sometime before there would be any chance of reducing efforts of RAMSI and I think that's at least three to five years bit could in all probability be longer than that."

New Zealand's prime minister, John Key.