Waitangi Day – Ramsi Thanks NZ For Commitment

Waitangi Day – Ramsi Thanks New Zealand For Strong Commitment

The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands continues to benefit from the experience, leadership and support of New Zealand.

RAMSI’s Special Coordinator, Tim George, was speaking on the occasion of Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day.

“New Zealand makes a significant contribution to RAMSI in both personnel and funding, including senior leadership roles in the Office of the Special Coordinator, the Participating Police Force and the military”, he said.

There are almost 100 New Zealanders currently working with RAMSI. “I wish these New Zealanders well on Waitangi Day and thank them on behalf of the other 14 countries of the Regional Assistance Mission for their valuable work in RAMSI’s mission to help the Solomon Islands be a safe, well-governed and prosperous nation”, he said. “New Zealand has always demonstrated a strong commitment to the Solomon Islands and RAMSI since its first task to restore law and order in 2003. This commitment has strengthened through the provision of highly qualified New Zealand advisors working with Solomon Islanders Government and support for the RAMSI Law and Justice program”, he said.

“On a personal note, I value the experience of working with New Zealanders in RAMSI such as the Deputy Special Coordinator, Paul Ash, a senior NZ diplomat”, said.

Mr George also acknowledged that New Zealand, through NZAID, had been a major development partner with the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI and other donors in civic education, and rural road and bridge reconstruction.

“As a regional mission, we are enhanced by the experience of each and every Pacific nation in helping the Solomon Islands stand up strong”, he said.

15 countries contribute to RAMSI: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

ENDS

© Scoop Media