US backs Taiwan attendance

THE United States has joined the ranks of countries who have expressed disappointment over the Solomon Islands’ decision not to invite Taiwan and other dialogue and development partners to a regional meeting next month.

An unnamed State Department spokesperson has told US media that they were disappointed by reports that the Solomon Islands has decided to exclude dialogue and development partners from the Pacific Islands Forum meeting this year.

“We support the continued attendance of all PIF partners, including Taiwan, at the annual PIF Leaders Meeting, as previously agreed by PIF leaders in 1992,” the spokesperson said.

“The United States remains committed to engagement with the Pacific Islands and deepening partnerships with the PIF to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region. We are honoured to be a founding PIF Dialogue Partner,” it added.

Only the bloc’s 18 members, including Australia and New Zealand, will participate in the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting, scheduled for September 5 in Honiara.

Taiwan has been a partner country in PIF mechanisms since 1993 and has also made several significant donations to the bloc.

Only the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.