Jeremiah Manele (right) and Al Zeyoudi Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi attended the opening of the new embassy in the Solomon Islands in the United Arab Emirates. October 2, 2024 Photo: Solomon Islands Government
The Solomon Islands opened a new embassy in Abu Dhabi on Monday to “strengthen, strengthen and advance” its relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who has started Emirates Airline’s permanent presence in the Solomon Islands, said the opening of the embassy “has become a bridge of friendship that brings the two countries closer together.”
Manele hopes it will lead to a win-win outcome for the two countries, whose bilateral relations began in 2010.
He said: “The Solomon Islands has significant opportunities to explore and benefit from our engagement with the UAE, and we look forward to working closely together in areas of cooperation that are mutually beneficial to both countries.”
According to the Solomon Islands government, there are six Solomon Islanders working as aircraft technicians in the UAE Air Force, and Honiara hopes to strengthen cooperation with the UAE in the area of workforce mobility.
The UAE government is also reportedly providing financial support to the renewable energy sector.
The Embassy’s immediate mission is to finalize a draft memorandum of understanding and agreement that will enable implementation for the mutual benefit of both countries, said Cornelius Warregera, Ambassador of the Solomon Islands to the Emirates.
The embassy of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, is an important milestone in the flourishing relations between the two countries.