Recent developments have also underlined the importance of our work in collaboration with our neighbours on policing, internal security, illegal people movements and defence matters. But we want to keep up the pressure on ourselves to be smarter, more focused and more proactive. We have been reminded of the need to broaden our focus, and be more creative and flexible in our approach. For example, in our institutional strengthening efforts, we may need to provide more resources at local and provincial levels to shore up service delivery whilst central agencies improve their performance. Events such as those in Solomon Islands mean our neighbours require support in new and unusual ways.
Community suffering in Solomon Islands is enormous.
Aside from humanitarian assistance, we can help with support for the reconciliation activities of women s and church groups. Over the medium-term, provided progress on the peace process is sustained, we envisage supporting rehabilitation activities in affected communities and the reintegration into productive civilian life of youth and men who have been actively involved in the conflict. And we will not forget about the power of cooperation in bilateral terms with our neighbours, as well as with key countries and multilateral organisations with interests in the South Pacific. The Government has always placed great emphasis on personal high-level contacts with our Pacific neighbours. I have, as Foreign Minister, visited nine countries on sixteen occasions in the South Pacific.