Prime Minister Mathew Wale says his government will pursue greater transparency in the negotiation and approval of international security agreements, including stronger parliamentary oversight of future treaties and foreign partnerships.
Speaking to local media upon his return from official visits to Australia and New Zealand today, Wale said future security agreements would be handled more openly than in the past.
“The way we will approach security agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand will be far more transparent, and that principle will apply to all future agreements,” he stated.
Wale acknowledged that the existing security agreement with China contains a legally binding non-disclosure clause, limiting the government’s ability to publicly release its contents.
“Unfortunately, the China Security Agreement includes a non-disclosure provision. It is legally binding and was entered into by the previous government. Because of that, we are unable to disclose its contents, although I have previously expressed my views on the matter,” he said.
The Prime Minister revealed that the government is pursuing reforms to strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of international agreements and treaties.
Prime Minister Mathew Wale welcomed at the Honiara International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade. Credits: Charley Piringi/IDS
“We are working on amendments to ensure that all matters relating to agreements and treaties are brought before Parliament.
“We intend to amend the Parliamentary Standing Orders so that any agreement the government proposes to sign with another party must first be presented to Parliament for scrutiny,” he said.
According to Wale, the proposed reforms are intended to improve accountability and transparency in the conduct of foreign affairs.
“This will allow Parliament to play a more active oversight role and ensure that the government conducts these processes in a transparent manner,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said his government’s broader foreign policy agenda following diplomatic engagements in New Zealand and Australia, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding relationships with traditional partners while safeguarding Solomon Islands’ sovereignty and national interests.
“We need to restore trust between us and our traditional partners like Australia and New Zealand.
“We have achieved that objective. Trust is very important. Over the past years, there has been a lot of mistrust between our traditional partners.”
He added, China is a development partner.
“China is aour friend and development Partner too.”
Wale described the trip as productive, providing an opportunity for direct discussions on key regional issues including trade, labour mobility, climate resilience, security cooperation and economic development.
He reaffirmed that Solomon Islands would continue to pursue an independent foreign policy based on neutrality and mutual respect.
“Our foreign policy is still ‘Friendly to all and enemy to none’. But remember, we have no enemies,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that maintaining strong regional relationships remains essential to addressing shared challenges and advancing prosperity across the Pacific.
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