SI & NZ discuss maritime security plan

Solomon Islands and New Zealand have begun discussions on developing a maritime security plan at the margins of the recent 19^th Shangri La Dialogue, a regional security and Defence forum in Singapore.

Solomon Islands Police Minister Anthony Veke and New Zealand’s Defence Minister Peeni Henare held constructive discussions on the maritime security plan.

Minister Veke raised maritime security as of Solomon Islands top priority in which Minister Henare expressed New Zealand’s willingness to continue to assist in this area.

“We discussed the long-standing and close partnership New Zealand has with Solomon Islands,” Henare said.

For Solomon Islands, maritime security is important and beefing up partnerships with regional neighbours is vital for areas such as search and rescue, natural disaster responses and monitoring of illegal fishing.

The Shangri La Dialogue on security which concluded on Sunday saw leaders of some powerful countries discussed news ways for increasing partnerships in the area of maritime security.

ENDS///