Forum Ministerial Standing Committee Meeting on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
22 February 2008
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Outcome Statement
The Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Niue and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga met in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on 22 February 2008 for the first meeting of the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee (FMSC) on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Taumoepeau Tupou, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga. The meeting was also attended by the Finance and Development Ministers of Solomon Islands, the Parliamentary Secretaries for Pacific Island Affairs and International Development Assistance of Australia, the RAMSI Special Coordinator, the Solomon Islands Government Special Envoy to RAMSI, and the Pacific Islands Forum Representative to Solomon Islands.
Opening Statement by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands The Honourable Derek Sikua
2. The Honourable Derek Sikua, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, opened the first Forum Ministerial Standing Committee on RAMSI. Ministers welcomed Prime Minister Sikua’s emphasis on regional cooperation to achieve the core priorities of the CNURA Government. In particular, Ministers noted Prime Minister Sikua’s hope that the partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI could be taken forward to continue strengthening Solomon Islands Sovereignty and the long term sustainability of its institutions.
Forum Leaders Decision
3. Ministers noted the decision by Leaders at the 38th Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, that urgent consultations should be pursued through the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee with the Government of Solomon Islands to seek clarification of its concerns with respect to the specific recommendations of the (RAMSI Review) Task Force, and that the Standing Committee report further to Leaders at the earliest opportunity. The Ministers further noted that Leaders endorsed the recommendations of the Task Force and commended them for the support of the Solomon Islands Government.
4. Ministers noted that the circumstances in Solomon Islands at the time of the Leaders’ Meeting had since changed, and welcomed the positive atmosphere in which the FMSC was conducted.
Progress Reports
5. Ministers received formal presentations from representatives of the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI, RAMSI Review Task Force, and participants in the Enhanced Consultation Mechanism (ECM) Meeting. Key issues covered included implementation of the Task Force recommendations, the Solomon Islands Government’s position on the Task Force Report, the Solomon Islands Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement (CNURA) Policy and Translation Framework and the new Solomon Islands Government / RAMSI Partnership Framework.
The Enhanced Consultation Mechanism Meeting
6. Ministers noted the Report from the ECM and acknowledged the support of the Solomon Islands Government in agreeing to host the third meeting in Honiara on 20 February 2008. Ministers endorsed the ECM recommendations that the Guiding Principles for the FMSC and Terms of Reference for the Triumvirate be approved. Ministers encouraged future ECMs to be convened as planned.
Implementation of the Second Forum RAMSI Review Report
7. Ministers noted that some progress had already been made toward implementing the Task Force recommendations and welcomed the Solomon Islands Government’s support for these steps. Ministers noted that the establishment of the FMSC and ECM to provide oversight and governance to the RAMSI operation was one of the key recommendations. Ministers agreed with the Task Force’s view that the effectiveness of reporting and consultation lines depended on the Triumvirate (RAMSI Special Coordinator, Solomon Islands Government Special Envoy to RAMSI, and the Pacific Islands Forum Representative to Solomon Islands) providing the Solomon Islands Cabinet monthly briefings through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and directed it to do so accordingly. Ministers also welcomed assurances from the Solomon Islands Government that the review of RAMSI’s presence in Solomon Islands would involve extensive consultations with RAMSI participating countries. Ministers encouraged regional and international partners to explore ways to support the Solomon Islands Government’s existing efforts to address national challenges such as reconciliation, federalism and devolution, and the causes of the ethnic tensions.
8. Ministers noted the RAMSI Review Task Force Report was yet to be endorsed by the Solomon Islands Government. Ministers also noted that the Report had been acknowledged by the Solomon Islands Cabinet, that the previous Government’s decision to reject the Report had been rescinded, and that the Report will be put to a Parliamentary Select Committee for further consideration. Ministers urged the Solomon Islands Government to convene the Parliamentary Select Committee as soon as possible. In the interim, Ministers agreed that the Triumvirate will continue working with the Solomon Islands Government to ensure momentum is maintained in the partnership.
9. Ministers
also noted and agreed that since its recommendations have now
superseded the 2005 Forum EPG Review of RAMSI, that the 2007 Review
Report be the principal reference point for further
discussions.
Solomon Islands Government’s Policy Framework
10. Ministers welcomed the CNURA Government’s commitment to working with RAMSI and the Pacific Islands Forum and the emphasis on regional cooperation in the Government’s Policy and Translation Framework. Ministers noted that the CNURA policy framework has rural development and capacity building as its key objectives. Ministers agreed that RAMSI should continue to support rural development, and consider areas where assistance can be enhanced. Ministers also encouraged bilateral and international partners to continue cooperating with RAMSI to find additional ways to support the Solomon Islands Government meet its policy objectives in this area. Ministers noted that there was sufficient scope under the existing three pillars for RAMSI, in consultation with the Solomon Islands Government, to explore additional ways in which the Policy and Translation Framework can be supported.
Solomon Islands/ RAMSI Partnership Framework
11. Ministers underlined the importance of consultation at all levels between RAMSI and the Solomon Islands Government to develop jointly agreed development strategies. To this end, Ministers endorsed the work being carried out to develop a Solomon Islands Government - RAMSI Partnership Framework and agreed this should be completed by the next meeting of the ECM. Ministers noted that the aim of the Partnership Framework is to provide formal direction and articulation of the Solomon Islands Government-RAMSI partnership for the development of Solomon Islands. Ministers commended the Partnership Framework as a way of putting forward a clear statement of jointly agreed objectives. Ministers also agreed that the Triumvirate should develop in consultation with all stakeholders a set of jointly agreed indicative and conditions based set of timelines for RAMSI’s phasing down which can be integrated into the Partnership Framework.
Forum/Solomon Islands/RAMSI Partnership
12. Ministers commended the significant progress made by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands in partnership with successive Solomon Islands Governments since 2003. Ministers noted the importance of ongoing work with the Government and people of Solomon Islands to rebuild Solomon Islands’ institutions and establish conditions under which Solomon Islands could achieve social and economic recovery. Ministers encouraged Forum members and the region’s development partners to assist in this rebuilding process. Ministers commended and confirmed the continuing support of all Forum members as contributing countries to RAMSI as an outstanding example of regional cooperation. Ministers agreed to reconvene the FMSC in approximately six months.
Forum Secretariat
Honiara, Solomon Islands
22 February 2008