The Hon. Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu, Prime Minister of Vanuatu, and the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, met on May 26 2012 while attending the Pacific Islands Leaders' meeting (PALM 6) in Okinawa, Japan.

Prime Minister Kilman and Mr Marles agreed that the strong relationship between Australia and Vanuatu is of enduring value to both countries.

Mr Marles reaffirmed to Prime Minister Kilman that Australia deeply respected the importance and dignity of his position as Prime Minister. Mr Marles also expressed regret at any inconvenience during the Prime Minister’s recent travel through Sydney airport and reassured the Government of Vanuatu that the Prime Minister of Vanuatu will always be an honoured visitor to Australia.

Both Prime Minister Kilman and Mr Marles expressed a keen desire to put the events of April 27 in the past and move the bilateral relationship forward in pursuit of Vanuatu and Australia’s joint interests.

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