Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa yesterday opened the new Samoan High Commission with Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at Clarke Street in Suva.
Fiame is in Fiji for a bilateral visit and is meeting with other pacific leaders. This was confirmed in a statement issued yesterday.
Fiame said the opportunity coincided with the invitation of some of our Pacific family leaders to come together to discuss issues of mutual interest and concerns regarding the decision to join the majority of the Pacific community to set up office and Fiji is Testament of Samoa’s support for the region unity and cohesion.
“And to be part of the collective dialogs for a deepened regionalism. The opportunity cannot be missed to develop and enhance cooperation answer cooperation and I am pleased to endorse the finalization of the development cooperation MOU between Fiji and Samoa.
“The USP and other institutions in Fiji have attracted many of our young people adding to the growing Fiji based diaspora and of course there have been the descendant of the first Samoan migrants to Fiji as well as family connections,” said the Prime Minister.
She thanked Bainimarama for accepting the request to set up a diplomatic office in Fiji.
“As the first independent nation we have been slow to come however that delay has allowed us to field one of our most senior diplomats to open this office in Fiji after being in New York in the United Nations. “Good relations will allow us to pursue many win-win opportunities together. Should there be issues we will handle them in the same constructive spirit and the Pacific way,” said the Prime Minister.
Bainimarama said the new High Commission shows how serious Samoa is about building its friendship with Fiji and ramping up its regional engagement.
“Fiji is the Pacific hub of trade, travel, telecommunications, and finance, and our capital is the one-stop-shop for all multilateral matters. In one trip to one city, our region’s Leaders can make connections and coordinate engagement with each other and the world,” said Fiji’s Prime MInister.
Adding that a more connected Pacific is a more secure Pacific.
“Samoans began this month by celebrating their 60th Anniversary of Independence. We’re grateful to help you celebrate this evening with another milestone for your diplomatic engagement.”
“I look forward to Samoa’s quick recovery as you prepare to open your borders and normalise international travel this August, as I look forward to continuing to work closely with you.”
The statement pointed out the two leaders discussed potential collaboration in mutual priorities, especially in areas of climate change, oceans, economic recovery, trade and investment, and people-to-people links, among others.
“They also shared views on the current global challenges and ways in which the two nations can collaborate to further enhance socio-economic development in both the nations, and promote greater levels of regional cooperation.
Fiji and Samoa’s partnership in the lead up to the global climate conference COP27, scheduled in November, was also discussed.”
In his capacity as the Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Prime Minister Bainimarama provided updates on the upcoming leaders meeting scheduled in July this year, where the Pacific will celebrate the 50-year journey of Pacific regionalism and launch the 2050 Strategy of the Blue Pacific Continent.
In response, Prime Minister Mataʻafa thanked Prime Minister Bainimarama for the kind hospitality, and the opportunity to discuss issues of importance to Fiji and Samoa, and the region.