SUVA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Fiji is currently hosting the 3rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)-Regional Security Strategy Regional Security (RSS) meeting in Nadi, Fiji's third largest city.
Fiji's Ministry of Defence said on Monday that a regional security strategy document is critical to the welfare of Melanesia and the Pacific region.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Manasa Lesuma said that the Regional Security Strategy Working Group provides a vital platform toward developing and advancing the MSG Security Strategy with steady progress achieved through the anticipated regional security strategy.
"Security is an important pillar of our MSG cooperation. The agreement establishing the MSG recognizes the importance of aligning policies so as to further advance MSG members' shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance, peace and security," he said.
Lesuma said that they wanted a safe and secure society where people are joined by common beliefs that are binding to maintaining solidarity and resilience as people of Melanesia that ensures the realization of the needs and aspirations of all their peoples.
With MSG leaders having already approved the development of a regional security strategy, Lesuma said that it was important that it reflected on individual states policies.
He said that countries needed to have relevant strategies for their security needs from law and order perspective, maritime security as well as natural disaster and one that is linked to the countries respective National Security strategies.
"The prevalent security challenges confronting the various members varies from aspects of traditional and non-traditional security and it is therefore imperative that we contextualize this security framework to the sub region."
Lesuma said that Melanesians can resolve and mitigate their own problems and this strategy will no doubt set the strategic direction for members in terms of mapping the national security roadmap in their respective countries.
