Samoan newspaper praises Tuilaepa visit to Fiji
- Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi left Fiji for his next destination with many wonderful memories of the welcome he received there.
Tuilaepa who was in Fiji for an official visit has had a fruitful couple of days. Welcomed by Fiji’s Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, he’s had bilateral meetings as well as the opportunity to make a courtesy call to the President of Fiji, Major General Jioji Konusi Konrote. On Sunday, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (R.F.M.F.) Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto welcomed Prime Minister Tuilaepa during a Guard of Honour at Nausori Airport. Prime Minister Bainimarama later greeted Tuilaepa before accompanying him to a traditional welcoming ceremony performed by the members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
At a reception to host Tuilaepa and his delegation, which included the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupa’i and the Head of Foreign Affairs, Peseta Noumea Simi, Mr. Bainimarama highlighted the importance of the relationship between Samoa and Fiji.
“When Fiji and Samoa assume global leadership, when we welcome global gatherings or when we speak in global forums, we speak for Fijians, we speak for Samoans, we speak for Tongans, Tuvaluans, and Solomon Islanders, and we speak for every woman, man and child in the Pacific,” said Mr. Bainimarama.
He also thanked the Samoan government for its support and contribution towards fighting the impacts of climate change.
“As Commonwealth members, as champions on climate change and oceans preservation, as committed partners in regional security and development, our successes are collective, and our future is shared.” “For those reasons, and so many others, I know our nations shall always remain totally and completely committed to each other’s success.” Tuilaepa commended P.M. Bainimarama and the Fijian government for the ceremonies of welcome accorded to him and his delegation. Tuilaepa also opened the Research Week at the University of the South Pacific’s (U.S.P.), Laucala Campus in Suva where he spoke about the blue continent.
“No doubt that all of you are aware that our blue continent is one of the most highly researched and studied corners of our planet,” Tuilaepa said.
“There is a lot of research that goes unnoticed, unsolicited or does not give or provide advice to our countries.”
He said we as Pacific islanders needed to be aware of what was going on around us.
The Research Week was held on August 27-31.