Today’s Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Special Leaders Summit of the MSG will discuss the progress on issues raised in last year’s meeting.

Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola highlighted the issues, saying the request by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to have this special meeting was to determine the steps that have been taken in the year that has passed.

Among those highlighted were the preservation and safeguarding of Melanesia’s fragile ecosystem, the ensuring of long term political stability and safety of the Melanesian people and the lifting of the MSG political profile to become the voice of the Melanesian people.

Ratu Inoke praised the work of leaders, saying their achievements are an example of the work that needs to be done.

“I’m pleased that major developments have been achieved the necessary building blocks to advancing the purpose of our organisation. In the true spirit of MSG tradition, customs and values, we have managed to resolve contentious issues amongst ourselves. We’ve also managed to reach consensus through dialogue and solidarity.”

Ratu Inoke says a major development of the MSG since its inception in 1988 is the inter-membership trade through the MSG trade agreement.

He says the agreement has been reviewed and will be tabled for the leader’s consideration today.

Also part of discussions will be the trade of services.