The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands says he'd like to see Australia's regional assistance mission in his country continue for the next decade.

Derek Sikua says the success of the multi-nation mission will be judged by the ability of Solomon Islanders to govern themselves once the mission leaves.

He says it could take up to a decade to achieve RAMSI's goals of stability, security and prosperity.

Mr Sikua says it will take the Solomon Island police the best part of the next 3 to 5 years to achieve that capacity and to build trust within the force.

But he says in other areas of development it will take that long.

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