Melanesian Spearhead Group: Difference between revisions

| today =

| conventional_long_name = Melanesian Spearhead Group

}}

 

In July 2010, Fiji expelled Australia's acting high commissioner accusing the latter of causing the postponement of a so-called ''Engaging Fiji'' meeting.<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC|title=Fiji's expulsion of Australia envoy "of grave concern"|date=13 July 2010|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10609711|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819095223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10609711|url-status=live}}</ref> Australia responded that it had to do with the lack of democracy in the country. An alternate meeting was held instead despite pressure from Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/fiji-expects-strong-turnout-at-talkfest-20100721-10kh6.html|title=Fiji expects strong turnout at talkfest|date=21 July 2010|access-date=21 July 2010|archive-date=24 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724063640/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/fiji-expects-strong-turnout-at-talkfest-20100721-10kh6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was attended by [[Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea|Prime Minister]] [[Michael Somare]] of [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands|Prime Minister]] [[Derek Sikua]] of the [[Solomon Islands]], [[President of Kiribati|President]] [[Anote Tong]] of [[Kiribati]], [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|Prime Minister]] [[Apisai Ielemia]] of [[Tuvalu]], and [[Prime Minister of Fiji|Prime Minister]] [[Frank Bainimarama]] of [[Fiji]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/fiji-claims-egg-on-aussie-faces-as-dictator-pulls-off-pr-coup-with-summit/story-fn59niix-1225895326255| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100903153558/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/fiji-claims-egg-on-aussie-faces-as-dictator-pulls-off-pr-coup-with-summit/story-fn59niix-1225895326255| archive-date = 2010-09-03| title = Fiji claims egg on Aussie faces as dictator pulls off PR coup with summit {{!}} The Australian}}</ref>

 

 

Indonesia, however, also applied for MSG membership in 2010, arguing that Indonesia is home to 11 million Melanesians mainly residing in 5 provinces in Eastern Indonesia; [[Papua (province)|Papua]], [[West Papua (province)|West Papua]], [[Maluku (province)|Maluku]], [[North Maluku]] and [[East Nusa Tenggara]].<ref name="Kemlu">{{cite journal |title=Indonesia Acquires Associate Member Status In Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) |date=26 June 2015 |journal=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of West Papua |url=http://kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Papua-Acquires-Associate-Member-Status-In-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-MSG.aspx |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=19 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919193457/http://kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Indonesia-Acquires-Associate-Member-Status-In-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-MSG.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Indonesia won observer status in 2011 with the support of Fiji and Papua New Guinea.<ref name="Andrews"/> [[East Timor]] was granted observer status in 2011.<ref name="Timorrnz">{{cite news|title=East Timor donates to Melanesian Spearhead Group|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199655/east-timor-donates-to-melanesian-spearhead-group|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Radio New Zealand|date=16 September 2011|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002165808/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199655/east-timor-donates-to-melanesian-spearhead-group|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite being denied of full membership, ULMWP secretary-general Octavianus Mote regarded the observer status positively, saying the diplomatic recognition would help them in their cause. "We might not be a full member of the MSG, but a door has opened to us. We will sit across a table from Indonesia as equal," he said.<ref name="ABC2">{{cite news |title=West Papuans given Melanesia bloc access, but not full membership |author=Liam Fox |date=27 June 2015 |work=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-27/west-papuans-given-melanesia-bloc-access/6577722 |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=3 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803141438/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-27/west-papuans-given-melanesia-bloc-access/6577722 |url-status=live }}</ref>

 

 

== Membership ==

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

 

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

| {{Flag|Maluku}} || align=right| 1,848,923

| {{Flag|South Papua}} ||align=right| 513.617

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

 

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

| {{Flag|Maluku}} || align=right|3.616 || align=right|11.283

| {{Flag|Papua}} || align=right|17.649 || align=right|55.167

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

 

==Meetings==

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}