CLOSING STATEMENT BY MSG CHAIR DURING THE 2ND SPECIAL SUMMMIT OF THE MSG LEADERS

Fellow MSG Leaders;

Honourable Ministers;

Excellencies;

Senior Officials ;

Ladies and Gentleman.

I would like to thank you once again for your presence at this summit. It is through such meetings that we are able to discuss relevant issues, raise necessary concerns and develop new strategies for the future.

I would also like to thank the MSG Secretariat for their support in facilitating this meeting.
 

I am pleased with the frank discussions that have taken place. This forum has given us the opportunity to review the report of the 2nd MSG High Level Mission to New Caledonia, make preparations for the MSG’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations and for the next Summit in 2013.
 

I hope that as a result of these meetings we all have a better understanding of the roadmap for the future.  So that we may continue to build on our strengths and address certain areas where we can develop and improve.
 

Ladies and gentlemen, if I may leave you with one final thought for consideration. The call to “deepen our cooperation” and “enhance regional integration” has been made many times before. These are convenient turns-of-phrase that make for nice sound bites. But we must strive to truly realize the implications and achieve the aspirations of such statements.
 

Regional cooperation and integration does not mean that we must relinquish our national sovereignty, or turn our backs on the situations, circumstances and concerns that are unique to our own countries. It means that we must commit ourselves and our Governments to the belief that by acting with a common vision and a united purpose, not only will we expand our influence and opportunities within our bloc and the international community, but we will also improve the livelihoods of our people at home.
 

My request to you, therefore, is that we continue to develop this common vision and that we always strive to better understand and implement our united purpose. This is an ongoing process. One that must be revisited and reevaluated in forums such as this.
 

Let me once again invite you to attend the “Engaging with the Pacific Meeting,” taking place tomorrow. Many of the issues pertaining to the MSG are salient to the EWTP’s presentations, and your participation and input would greatly add to the discussion of these issues.