"As well as stopping conflict in the Solomon Islands, RAMSI helped restore unity."Wellington (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - The New Zealand government Thursday confirmed that the last platoon of New Zealand troops has left the international peacekeeping mission in the Solomon Islands.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) had been "a great example of a Pacific solution to a Pacific problem."
"At the request of the Solomon Islands government, Pacific Island countries helped a friend in serious trouble," McCully said in a statement.
"As well as stopping conflict in the Solomon Islands, RAMSI helped restore unity, rebuild institutions and strengthen the nation`s economy," he said.
"RAMSI`s presence has also provided space for development work, allowing the Solomon Islands and New Zealand to focus on economic growth and education."
Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman said some New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) troops and New Zealand police would remain in the Solomons through to next year.
"Although this may be the last New Zealand platoon deployed to RAMSI, we will continue to have NZDF personnel in the mission`s headquarters until the military component withdraws. This will likely occur in the middle of 2013, pending final agreement by the Australian and New Zealand governments," Coleman said in the statement.
"The mission will then focus on building the capacity of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and New Zealand police will remain with RAMSI to support this effort. RAMSI is not finishing or exiting and will remain a regional mission, but its mandate will be smaller."
Development support to the Solomon Islands would also continue, McCully said.
(U.C003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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