Justin Tkatchenko congratulates prime minister elect Jeremiah Manele
Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko has congratulated former colleague Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele on his successful election into office as 13th prime minister of his country.
Mr Tkatchenko also extended his commendations to the 31 -majority elected members of the 12th Parliament of the Solomon Islands, for recognising Prime Minister-elect Manele's calibre of leadership.
"In his former capacity as Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Manele and I shared mutual views, with extended and close consultations on issues on the Pacific Island Forum [PIF], the Melanesian Spearhead Group [MSG] and Inter-government front."
“Our discussions over time were consistently on issues of mutual respect, reflecting our strong friendship, and the working relations between our two countries.
"In a period of time where close bonds needed to be stronger recently, in the face of rising geopolitical conversations especially in the region, our relations with the Solomon Islands through the former Foreign Minister was a constant assurance of our united front as the closest of neighbours."
Mr Tkatchenko said in his last meeting with Mr Manele two weeks before the elections, both expressed mutual views for PNG and Solomon Islands relations going forward.
"From our conversations then, I have every confidence that the [Solomon Islands] Prime Minister will ensure continuity in our stances on the various issues at the regional and international level - maybe to even greater heights, in his new capacity as leader of his country.
MrTkatchenko also heaped praise on the people of the Solomon Islands for allowing a peaceful and successful democratic election process, which has installed a government truly for the people of the Solomon Islands.
"Congratulations to Prime Minister Manele, and the people of the Solomon Islands."
"l look forward to officially meeting with him in his new capacity, and to the conversations that we will continue to have.