4 Sep 2014

Vanuatu seeks Commonwealth help on political reform

12:35 pm on 4 September 2014

The Vanuatu Prime Minister has requested assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat in its political reform objectives.

Joe Natuman has emphasised an urgent need to address his country's political instability issues to ensure that the country can progress economically.

A Commonwealth Secretariat representative will be in Port Vila next week to pursue the request further.

Mr Natuman says the people of Vanuatu are grateful to be given the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Heads of States and Governments in 2017.

He says as it is the first time for a Pacific country to host a meeting of such magnitude, Vanuatu is seeking support from all its development partners on this.

The government has already received a preliminary assessment visit by the Commonwealth Secretariat, and it is expected that another team will be sent to Port Vila later this year or early next year to assist the government with preparations.

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Photo: RNZ / Walter Zweifel