Prime Ministers Salwai and Manele sign Tirvau Agreement, fostering intergenerational cooperation and mutual development
In a significant development, the governments of the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu have signed the border agreement known as the Tirvau Agreement.
The signing formalized the long-standing social connections between the people of Torba Province in Vanuatu and the people of Temotu in the Solomon Islands. For many years, these communities have engaged in intermarriage, trade and cultural exchanges.
The Tirvau Agreement follows the 2016 Molatava Agreement, where former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare signed a similar accord with his counterpart, who is now the current Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai.
On 21 June 2024, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai of Vanuatu and Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands signed the Tirvau Agreement, also referred to as the Solomon Islands-Vanuatu Basic Border Agreement.
Prime Minister Manele described the Tirvau Agreement as “intergenerational in nature” and emphasized that it “opens doors for further collaboration, integration and cooperation between the two states.” He added, “It cements and binds our current relations with a umi tugeda spirit, two wantok countries further formalizing and recognizing the traditional and cultural connections as Melanesians.”
To reinforce the close connection as Melanesian brothers, Prime Minister Manele mentioned a new aviation arrangement where Solomon Airlines will conduct two flights a week to Vanuatu, with the possibility of increasing flights to Santo in July.
Prime Minister Manele also acknowledged Vanuatu’s assistance in restoring law and order in the Solomon Islands. Vanuatu’s policing and military contingent initially came under the Commonwealth flag and later under the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). He further commended the officials of both countries for progressing the Tirvau Agreement to the signing stage.
Highlighting the relevance of the Tirvau Agreement, Manele stated, “The Agreement allows for the active movement of people for tourism, trade and personal reasons. We are encouraging this movement to happen with ease.” He added, “The Agreement is about promoting peaceful relations, facilitating economic activities and ensuring effective governance of our borders while cooperating on sectoral and humanitarian issues of mutual concern to the two states.”
Manele urged officials from both countries to ensure the agreement is implemented and operationalized as scheduled.
In his visit with Manele, Vanuatu Prime Minster Salwai, reinforced the importance of the Tirvau Agreement and briefly discussed current issues faced by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). As the current chair of the MSG, Salwai seeks to hold a bilateral meeting with Manele on the sidelines of the PALM 10 to discuss matters related to the FLNKS of New Caledonia.
