The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) members have been warned against meddling in other countries’ affairs in realising regional cooperation programs.
Director General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Desra Percaya, made the remarks while addressing a MSG ministerial meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Tuesday, in his capacity as chief of the Indonesian delegation to the meeting.
Indonesia has expressed its support for the application of MSG corporate plan 2018-2020 as an effective step to achieve the vision of “MSG 2038 Prosperity for All”.
"We remind member states (of their obligation) to continue to implement the mandate in accordance with the principles of forming MSG, including refraining from meddling in other countries’ businesses much less than their sovereignty," he stated in a press statement released on Wednesday.
He also underscored the need for MSG to always focus on the common goal of achieving welfare, sustainable development, good governance and security.
MSG countries in the Melanesia sub-region include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia’s pro-independence FLNKS movement.
MSG aims to promote and strengthen trade relations among its members, exchange of Melanesia culture and technical cooperation to achieve economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security.
The other important issue discussed at the meeting is the support and commitment of the Indonesian government to boost the development of the Melanesia sub-regional economy.
....PACNEWS