Fijians welcome Prime Minister Rabuka in Solomon Islands

The Fijian Community in the Solomon Islands welcomed the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and his delegation with a traditional Fijian ceremony yesterday ahead of the week-long 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara.  

Mr Rabuka is attending the PIFLM that begins today. The meeting brings together leaders from 18 Pacific countries to discuss issues that affect the region.

“At this year’s meeting, I am hoping I will bring to fruition my proposal for the leaders to declare the Pacific as a Zone of Peace,” he said yesterday.  

“We have gone to keep the peace in other parts of the world. What about our part of the world in the Pacific. Peace is not just about wars. Peace is when a mother can put her child to bed at night and know that nothing can happen to them in the night, no wave can wash away their home at night, peace of mind when they live every day.” 

Mr Rabuka spoke about the deep ties shared between the Solomon Islands and Fiji, including the composition of the Solomon Islands national anthem by a Fijian gentleman.  

“We have very close bonds and many commonalities with the Solomon Islands.” 

“I encourage you to keep doing what you do here, look after the children here. Be good citizens of the Solomon Islands. Live peacefully with the people of the Solomon Islands.”  

Fijian Community President Katalaini Ziru said many Fijians worked in the private sector, including construction, finance and banking, and others as advisers to Government.  

Close to 1000 Fijians live and work in the Solomon Islands.  

The PIFLM concludes on Friday.