The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele is in country on his two-day visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and following his arrival, paid a Courtesy Call on the Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae at Government House this afternoon in Port Moresby city, where they held talks on the relations between the two countries. PNG and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations in 1978 and are the closest Melanesian countries in the Pacific geographically, apart from Vanuatu and Fiji.  There is a significant number of PNG owned and operated businesses in Solomon Islands providing employment opportunities to some 6,000 locals. Prime Minister Manele thanked the Government and people of PNG for the ongoing support and assistance provided to Solomon Islands through education, business and investment in Solomon Islands as well as security and policing through police training and border surveillance and security. Prime Minister Manele was accompanied by Solomon Islands’ former Governor General Sir Frank Kabui and former Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela to the Government House to meet the Governor General. Prime Minister Manele and his delegation arrived in Port Moresby this afternoon. His visit is at the invitation of PNG Prime Minister James Marape to participate in the inaugural WanSol charity golf tournament set for tomorrow at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.