The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues (SCLII) met today at the Fiji Police Academy in Suva, Fiji to discuss ways to strengthen legal and institutional issues in Melanesia.
The SCLII sub-committee is the frontline committee of legal and institutional issues of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
Member countries will discuss keys issues concerning the MSG and finalize the on-going review of the agreement establishing the MSG. The agreement is an important document that gives recognition to and forms the basis of MSG as a regional organisation.
The SCLII was officially opened by the MSG director general, Mr Peter Forau.
Mr Forau welcomed and thanked the current Chair Mr Esala Nayasi, Director Political and Treaties of the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and participants from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji for attending the one-day meeting.
MSG countries at the Special session will discuss key issues for consideration by Leaders at their Special MSG Leader’s Summit at the end of this month.
The delegates are tasked to discuss four on-going important legal and institutional issues concerning the MSG organisation including the Agreement Establishing the MSG.
A key issue to be discussed today by member countries is the future relationship of the MSG organization with external and interested partners/countries/territories that may want to associate with MSG.
Delegates are also going to discuss the legal issues surrounding the movement of the people in the Melanesian region in terms of visa arrangements between member countries and the how member countries can consider the harmonization of laws within the MSG region.
Delegates were also urged to make careful consideration of the important issues that are essential in the forum as expected by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Senior Officials before their outcomes are again presented to SOM and FMM.
The outcomes from the Special SCLII will be presented to the Senior Officials Meeting at the end of this week and later presented to the Foreign Ministers Meeting next week.
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