28 Feb 2012

MSG and Congress of New Caledonia to strengthen links

8:14 pm on 28 February 2012

Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Congress of New Caledonia have signed an agreement to strengthen links between the two bodies.

The agreement was signed by the MSG's Director General, Peter Forau and the president of the Congress, Roch Wamytan.

Mr Wamytan said he recognises the efforts by the MSG secretariat to lift the relationships with its members and in particular to assist New Caledonia's Kanak people in finding peaceful solutions for their future governance.

He told Mr Forau that he wants to see more young New Caledonians working at the Secretariat and for the French language to be learnt and applied widely as a working language within the Secretariat.

Mr Wamytan said that the convention agreement will strengthen the relationships between the Congress and parliaments of MSG member countries Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji and the FLNKS of New Caledonia.

Mr Forau said this week's signing is timely and meaningful.

He that it reinforces the mission that the MSG leaders have mandated the secretariat with in advancing direct actions that promote the welfare and the cause of the Kanak people of New Caledonia.