THE Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has reiterated the cordial and good relations between Taiwan and Solomon Islands.

And he adds their peoples are best friends.

He made the reiterations Dec 27 while launching a new water supply and sanitation project at artificial island of Funafou in the Lau Lagoon of North Malaita, Malaita Province.

The Funafou water supply and sanitation project had been financed by the Taiwanese Government.

Mr Sogavare and the Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Victor Tesun Yu took part in the launch of the water supply and sanitation project.

Prime Minister Sogavare said Solomon Islands and its people regard Taiwan and its people as their best friends because they remained in Solomon Islands during the ethnic tension period more than a decade ago while other diplomats closed their doors.

He said as Prime Minister at the height of the dark period, he more or less persuaded the Taiwanese Ambassador then, Mr Py Teng to return to Taiwan where he and his family would be safe.

But he told the cheering crowd at Funafou that Mr Teng stood firm that he and his office staff would not abandon Solomon Islands and instead exerted his country’s bilateral assistance including providing budgetary support to supplement government meagre budgets.

In response, Mr Yu told the gathering that Taiwan is grateful to Solomon Islands for continuing to support its applications to join United Nations international agencies.