23 Mar 2007

MSG countries to sign co-operation deal

4:25 pm on 23 March 2007

The leaders of the Melanesian nations are expected about to sign a new cooperation agreement in Port Vila.

Representatives of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, or MSG, which includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, are to sign an agreement to consolidate and enhance their relations.

Two earlier attempts to sign the agreement failed because of political instability in Fiji and Solomon Islands.

The interim chairman of the group, Johnny Koanapo, is confident that today's signing will go ahead as planned.

"The preparations are fully underway now, we are just expecting the leaders to arrive and the signing will proceed immediately after. All leaders are coming, Fiji will be represented by the minister for foreign affairs."

The MSG interim chairman, Johnny Koanapo.