PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 6 JULY 1990
I will attend the 21st South Pacific Forum meeting in
Vanuatu from 29 July 1 August. The South Pacific Forum
is the premier organisation of the region and its annual
meeting provides the opportunity for regional Heads of
Government to exchange views and deliberate on matters of
regional concern.
While in Vanuatu I will hold discussions with Prime
Minister Father Walter Lini and members of his Government
on questions of mutual interest, including bilateral
issues and broader regional developments. Australia has
a close and constructive relationship with Vanuatu. I
look forward to the visit and to attending Vanuatu's
tenth independence celebrations.
At the invitation of the French Prime Minister M Michel
Rocard, I shall make an official visit to New Caledonia
on 27-28 July while en route to the Forum.
I will take the opportunity there to meet government
officials and elected representatives from the
Territorial and Regional Assemblies including members of
the FLNKS and RPCR political groupings.
My Government has been encouraged by the process of
reconciliation in New Caledonia set in train by the
Matignon Accords. We welcome the continuing commitment
of all parties to the political and economic
accommodation now occurring in the Territory.