In the spirit of strengthening our Pacific Vuvale, the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka today met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Honourable Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke.
The first of such bilateral meeting between the two leaders was convened on the fringes of the TROIKA Leaders gathering at Nadi’s Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional engagement between the two island nations and the Blue Pacific region.
Discussions also focused on prospects for deeper cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity, defense and security, climate resilience, and people to people links, amongst key issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Rabuka warmly welcomed the Tongan Prime Minister and his delegation to our shores, and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to expanding bilateral and regional cooperation with the island nation.
He thanked Tonga for its continued support to Fiji and remained optimistic that our cooperation will elevate further.
At the outset, PM Rabuka acknowledged Tonga’s interest in establishing a fully-fledged diplomatic mission in Fiji.
Both sides also discussed the need to have a Development Cooperation Agreement (DCA) to strategically realign engagements focused on the key priorities of the two nations.
In promoting the Ocean of Peace Concept, both Prime Ministers agreed that this was another Pacific way to promote unity, solidarity, and prosperity not only in the region but globally.
In response, Prime Minister Dr. Aisake Valu Eke acknowledged PM Rabuka for the opportunity to meet and discuss key areas aimed at further strengthening our bilateral cooperation.
The meeting concluded on a high note with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future for the Pacific peoples.
