27 May 2008

MSG officials end talks ahead of leaders' summit

5:58 pm on 27 May 2008

Melanesian Spearhead Group Senior Officials Meetings have concluded in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila.

The meetings have taken place over the past week in Port Vila, ahead of the MSG Foreign Ministers meeting which began today and the Leaders Summit starting Thursday.

The senior officials discussed security, political developments; economic and trade matters as well as social and cultural issues in the Melanesian region.

The first secretary in the Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry, Barnabas Anga, says the vigorous committee work, which previous MSG summits didn't include, has been very beneficial.

"This time, because of the sub-committees, and their recommendations, what happened in our meeting today also includes the legal issues which is a very big step because this group will really guide the MSG in its legal obligations as a member of this sub-region."

First secretary in the Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry, Barnabas Anga