Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Thursday said that Australia would play an active role in underpinning the peace process in the Solomon Islands following a ceasefire signed on Wednesday by rival militias.
“I warmly congratulate their representatives and the representatives of the Solomon Islands government, church and community groups who have done so much to bring this about,” Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
This is the first step in the peace process. Australia provided a neutral venue for protracted negotiations leading up to the signing - the Australian Naval Ship HMAS Tobruk, which was moored off the capital, Honiara. Now that a ceasefire has been concluded, we will be able to provide further substantial assistance to underpin the peace process and help restore the national economy. Peace talks are scheduled to start in a week. Report: Zeenext Bureau