Palau President Calls Exclusion of PIF Partners a 'Missed Opportunity'

Palau president calls exclusion of PIF partners a 'missed opportunity'

But Surangel Whipps Jr says he respects the position of the Solomon Islands as hosts of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting.

Palau president calls exclusion of PIF partners a ‘missed opportunity’

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr says it is “a missed opportunity” not to include partners at next mont’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders’ summit. However, Whipps said he respects the position of the Solomon Islands, as hosts, to exclude more than 20 countries that are not members the regional organisation. The Solomon Islands is blocking all external partners from attending the PIF leaders’ …