The Solomon Islands will “not do anything to jeopardise” regional stability amid concerns about a security pact with China but its prime minister hasn’t explicitly ruled out the agreement either.
The Pacific nation’s foreign minister will visit regional countries to expound the proposed security treaty with China, “with a view that a strong and stable Solomon Islands is healthy for the security of the region”, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says.
In a statement following Australian Pacific Minister Zed Seselja’s hasty mid-campaign dash to Honiara amid concerns over the pact, Mr Sogavare said his meeting with the minister “culminated into a deeper understanding of each other’s security concerns”.
“Solomon Islands and Australia held productive discussions on Wednesday in Honiara regarding the security concerns of Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region,” the statement reads.
“Solomon Islands will continue to work with all partners in upholding the stability of the country while recognising the concerns of the region and will not do anything to jeopardise it.”
Senator Seselja met with the prime minister, deputy prime minister and other ministers in the Solomons on Wednesday, asking them to consider not signing the security agreement with China.
He also asked the prime minister to consult other Pacific island nations “in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our region’s security frameworks”.
Mr Sogavare said Australia remained the partner of choice for the Solomon Islands and any security agreements only covered internal threats.
Top United States Indo-Pacific security advisor Kurt Campbell is reportedly due to land in Honiara next week for high level talks over the security pact.
