The Melanesian Spearhead Group chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said West Papua will be admitted into the MSG.
Vanuatu's Daily Post reported Prime Minister Sogavare reportedly saying Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia's FLNKS movement would admit West Papua at the next MSG Leaders’ Summit in Vanuatu, even if Papua New Guinea and Fiji stay away.
The postponed MSG leaders’ summit will be held in December.
West Papua is a province in Indonesia that shares the common land border with Papua New Guinea.
PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato stated late last month after returning from United Nations that PNG views on West Papua still stand despite several Pacific Islands calling on UN to investigate reports of abuse in West Papua Province.
“We have a very strong relationship with government and people of Indonesia, we have a whole range of agreements and treaties that govern our relationship,” Minister Pato said.
“So our position is that as far as West Papua or the Papua Province is concerned, they remain an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.”
Caption: File picture of MSG chair and Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.