Vanuatu pleased with renewed Russian relations

Transcript

The Vanuatu government says it is pleased with the outcomes of its recent diplomatic mission to Moscow and hopes the renewed ties with Russia will continue into the future.

The Vanuatu foreign minister Sato Kilman spoke with Koroi Hawkins from Port Vila about the new relationship between the two countries and Russia's ongoing contributions to the relief effort after cyclone Pam.

SATO KILMAN: Very successful, I mean it is the first visit for my government minister from Vanuatu to Moscow after we established diplomatic relations back in 1986. And the visit was basically to try and bring this relationship to another level.

KOROI HAWKINS: And what kind of issues were you discussing with your counterpart?

SK: Basically cooperation issues, development issues assistance and and something that came up quite big during this visit was the recent cyclone that passed through Vanuatu. And the Russian foreign minister was very positive about Russia's assistance to the region and they were looking at if anything to compliment what we call FRANZ in the region. This is France, Australia and New Zealand in times of disasters and things. They in fact while we were there they sent two aircraft with lots of relief supplies to Vanuatu. Like a lot of other countries including New Zealand.

KH: Yes and Russia has said it will continue to support and is very happy to support Vanuatu in filling some of the gaps in the relief effort. Are you, are you targeting any particular type of aid from Russia?

SK: Yes what we are looking at and I have said this to my colleague the counterpart, the Russian foreign minister. That the initial phase of this is the shelter and food. But I think it is time we look at the long term phase which is basically reconstruction. Now I have said that for the reconstruction period that it is important that development partners and friends do not duplicate the assistance in any particular sectors or areas. Therefore it is important that Vanuatu finalises the reconstruction plan and then talks to development partners and friends jointly. So that we can make use of and best use of what we can get from our friends and partners.

KH: On related issues with the aid coming in. Indonesia has also made its first ever aid, relief aid contribution to Vanuatu. Do you see this, how do you see this in the light of the upcoming MSG review of West Papua Organisations bid for membership?

SK: Yes the Indonesians were here yesterday, they handed over their relief supplies and at this point in time and in my view it had nothing to do with the West Papuan issue. Vanuatu has diplomatic relations with Jakarta and this is a humanitarian issue and I think if we mix these issues up and we cloud our judgment. This is a humanitarian issue and I think if we mix these issues up and we cloud our judgment, I think at this point in time the government wants to see recovery in Vanuatu after cyclone Pam as soon as possible. And whoever has the heart to be able to give and donate to Vanuatu to help this reconstruction its a welcome thing for Vanuatu.

KH: And finally anything you would like to say to the International community at this point of time in relation to the ongoing relief efforts?

SK: Yes I think I will says this, when you read the stories and if you come to Vanuatu and you see what is happening on the streets of Port Vila especially, the capital. You would think that you know, so soon after the cyclone things are becoming back to normal although the roofs are still out and things. This is only due to the fact that we have had a very positive response from the international community. Both from governments, non government organisations and even individuals. This has made and I think has given the government and the people of Vanuatu morale to try and build and come back o normalcy as soon as possible. So to the international community to our donor partners to our friends, individuals who have had or shared something to do with the assistance to Vanuatu. We say a big thank you to everyone and our prayer is that God will bless them in all their givings.