Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare MP has officially opened the 19 th African Caribbean
and Pacific – European Union (ACP- EU) joint parliamentary assembly at the National
Parliament of Solomon Islands today.
The Prime Minister formally welcomes the distinguished delegates of the ACP- EU and delve
into a number of issues that the joint parliamentary assembly will cover in their one week of
meeting.
PM Sogavare underlined that Solomon Islands is hosting the event for the first time since
independence is a demonstration of shared values and beliefs in the promotion, protection and
fulfillment of human rights, democratic principles, rule of law and good governance.
“These values are clearly stipulated and espoused in the United Nations charter, the revised
Georgetown agreement, the Cotonou agreement and soon- to- be signed Samoa agreement,”
PM Sogavare added.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the importance of the ACP- EU joint parliamentary
assembly in promoting and protecting the common values and principles of democracy.
PM Sogavare further raised the importance of the Samoa Agreement which will be signed
next month in Apia. PM Sogavare confirms that Minister of Foreign Affairs and External
Trade will represent Solomon Islands to sign the document.
The Prime Minister remarked that the Samoa Agreement will deepen the cooperation
between ACP and EU states in the next 20 years especially in the areas of human rights,
democracy, governance, peace and security, human and social development, inclusive
sustainable economic growth to name a few.
PM Sogavare also briefly outlined the hardships faced by small developing states which
include the COVID- 19, the on- going Ukraine war and now the Israel and Hamas Conflict.
Prime Minister Sogavare further reiterated the challenges faced by UN to maintain global
peace and security, and expressed concern about the lack of attention to the UN sustainable
development goals by developed countries.
PM Sogavare challenged the ACP- EU joint parliamentary assembly to take onboard these
challenges and make its stand on the issues.
PM Sogavare briefly spoke about the renewed interest in the area of security by super powers
in the Pacific region. The Prime Minister reiterated Solomon Islands position and that is the
country is not interested in geo- politics. And that we want to keep the corner of world
peaceful and safe.
Other areas which the PM covered including keeping our ocean free from nuclear waste
materials, climate change, and trade.

The ACP- EU joint parliamentary assembly here in Honiara is historic as it is the first time
for Solomon Islands to host such an event since independence.
The National Parliament of Solomon Islands under the leadership of speaker honorable
Patteson Oti is hosting the joint parliamentary assembly with the assistance of the Office of
the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

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