Bilateral framework aims to guide SIG & US cooperation

THE National Government and the United States of America Government are now collaborating to conclude a number of bilateral Agreements and Arrangements.

These includes the bilateral Partnership Framework for Development Cooperation, Peace Corp Programme Agreement, SCALE Implementation Arrangement and the Solomon Islands Threshold Programme under the Millennium Challenge Framework. 

A Government statement today says the Partnership Framework Agreement for Development Cooperation is an Agreement proposed by Solomon Islands Government to guide United States cooperation with Solomon Islands.

It says the proposed Partnership Agreement is expected to structure, deepen and broaden Solomon Islands – United States relations guided by the country’s development needs and interests.

“That Agreement is now with the United States Government for their consideration,” it says.

The Government statement said Solomon Islands has similar Partnership Agreements with its other partners including Australia and Indonesia.

Moreover, the statement said the Government of Solomon Islands is currently reviewing its bilateral Peace Corp Agreement with the Government of the United States of America.

The Agreement is expected to facilitate the re-establishment of the Peace Corp schedule to commence hopefully during the course of 2022. 

The Ministry of National Planning & Development Coordination is also working together with the wider Government system in finalizing the SCALE Implementation Arrangement with the United States Government.

The statement said progressive meetings between the Government and its United States partners were held this week and more are scheduled for next week.

ENDS///