The prime ministers of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea held talks on Friday in Port Moresby where they signed a Framework Agreement on Development and Economic Cooperation.
It was Matthew Wale’s first official visit to neighbouring PNG since he became Solomon Islands prime minister last month.
His counterpart James Marape said the two countries have many business ties, but he’d like to see them increase.
“We also agreed that we will look at a concept of free trade that is specially tailored in between Solomon Islands and PNG, and extended to Vanuatu and Fiji, and possibly to the other Pacific Islands family,” he said.
Marape also noted that Wale has mooted the idea of a regional security agreement with Australia, as has emerged since the new Solomons leader’s visit this month to Canberra.
“Together we are stronger. Our ocean has substance of wealth, our land has substance of wealth,” Marape said in reference to the two Melanesian contries.
“I want to thank you for inviting PNG companies to look into mining activities in Solomon Islands. Together we can do much,” he said to Wale.
Marape said both countries had much to learn from each other.
