Fiji is the only country invited to attend the 35th Independence Day celebrations of the Solomon Islands.



And Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has been invited to be the chief guest at the event.



Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo said the two countries share very strong and special relations dating back to ancient times hence Fiji’s head of government was the best person to be chief guest at the celebrations.



“Fiji has assisted Solomon Islands during the World War II, and the rebuilding of our home, and also provided the much needed support during our trying times.”



PM Bainimarama will be traveling to Honiara on July 6 upon his return from his state visit to Russia.



“Fiji will be the only guest during the celebrations in the first week of the month while other guests who have been invited will be celebrating the Independence Day on July 24,” Mr Lilo said.



Fiji's non-resident High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Romanu Tikotikoca has also been invited.



“High Commissioner Tikotikoca will also be present because he led the first ever Fijian Police contingent to Solomon Islands in 2003,” Lilo added.



Tikotikoca said the invitation of the Fijian PM was a testimony of the positive and strong relations between Fiji and Solomon Islands.



“It’s more than just a bilateral relation. Fijians have assisted towards the development of Solomon Islands in a very positive way,” Tikotikoca said.



“Fiji has been a training ground for most of their church leaders, our soldiers were in Solomon Islands during the Second World War, after the war most Fijians assisted in the rebuilding of the nation then came the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and on top of that the Solomon Islands national anthem was composed by a Fijian.”



"There is also a number of Solomon Islanders living in Fiji and¬ many of them were born in the country and call it home," he added.

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