1 Aug 2003

Preliminary MSG talks in Gizo

4:49 pm on 1 August 2003

Regional security, terrorism, money-laundering, arms and people smuggling are some of the issues being discussed by officials from the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries meeting in Gizo in Solomon Islands Western Province.

The meeting started yesterday with top officials attending from Papua new Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, and is the second lead-up conference to the MSG leaders summit next week.

The officials are also discussing Bougainville, the security situation in Solomon Islands and political developments in New Caledonia.

A MSG trade and economic meeting earlier this week in Honiara saw all the MSG trade and economic officials agree on a proactive approach to trade among member countries.

They want more of a focus on developing tourism and mining resources in the trade agreement.