Leaders Congratulate PM Rabuka
Pacific Islands leaders have joined global leaders in congratulating Fiji’s new Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka.
In a congratulatory letter, the Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiamè Naomi Mata’afa, on behalf of the government and the people of Samoa, extended her warmest congratulations to Mr Rabuka for being elected as Fiji’s new PM.
“Your election as leader of the multi-party coalition demonstrates the confidence and trust of your people in your deep-rooted leadership,” Prime Minister Mata’afa said.
“I look forward to working closely with you to further enhance and strengthen the friendship, co-operation and partnership between our two countries as well as advancing regionalism in our Blue Pacific continent through the 2050 Strategy.” Tongan PM Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, on behalf of the government and the people of Tonga, congratulated Mr Rabuka with the reaffirmation of Tonga’s commitment to strengthen the strong and warm relations between the two nations and that of the Pacific family. In a congratulatory message by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), secretariat director-general Leonard Louma commended Mr Rabuka for his strong leadership and commitment to the development of Fiji and the Pacific region. “Your successful election to lead the country again is a testimony of the high regard with which the people of Fiji attach to your leadership,” Mr Louma said.
“Moreover, it signify in an emphatic way a desire by the Fijian people for change which you so eloquently championed during your campaign. Like other countries in the region, Fiji continues to encounter its own share of challenges as a nation. The onset of COVID-19 and its attendant ramifications have exacerbated the challenges. I am confident that under your leadership, Fiji will build on the successes so far and will be able to address these challenges effectively.”
He said the MSG was proud to acknowledge Mr Rabuka’s critical role in strengthening the sub-regional organisation.
“It was during your tenure as
Prime Minister that you took the bold move to recognise Fiji as a Melanesian country and officially joined the Melanesian Spearhead Group as the fifth member in 1996. The MSG, with Fiji’s active participation, has since grown from strength to strength- both politically and economically.” He reasserted the MSG’s commitment to work closely with Mr Rabuka and his Government in advancing the interests and welfare of the Pacific family.
The Solomon Islands PM, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, congratulated and extended his best wishes to Mr Rabuka and the people of Fiji.
“Your experience and wealth of knowledge in the role will no doubt take Fiji to new heights. As your close neighbour, I stand ready to work with you on all issues of mutual concerns to further enhance bilateral, sub-regional, regional and multilateral relations,” Mr Sogavare said.
“I take this opportunity to thank your Government and people for the presence of the Fiji Military Forces in Honiara under the Solo
mon Islands Assistance Force.” PM Sogavare said his government was ready to work with PM Rabuka and the Government of Fiji in advancing the common aspirations of the Pacific family.
These congratulatory messages are one of the many conveyed by prominent global and regional leaders from all over the world, who congratulated Mr Rabuka, with the overwhelming support of solidarity and appreciation for the unwavering commitment of the new Government of Fiji to ‘Rebuild Fiji Together by Unleashing Fiji’s Potential.
The Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio also congratulated our newly elected Prime Minister Rabuka.
Prime Minister Kishida extended the Government and the people of Japan’s sincere congratulations and best wishes to Mr Rabuka.
He said Japan and Fiji had built co-operative relations as friends connected by the Pacific Ocean as well as important partners in the international arena over the past 50 years. “Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) has been the keystone for Japan’s diplomacy towards the Pacific Island countries, and I am pleased to note that you attended the memorable very first PALM held in 1997 as Prime Minister. As the situation in the region is changing drastically, it is my pleasure to work with you again for the PALM10 which is scheduled to take place in 2024,” he said. Prime Minister Kishida looks forward to working closely with Mr Rabuka to further develop the relationship between Fiji and Japan towards realisation of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Fiji and Japan share strong bonds of friendship and collaboration which, spans well over 50 years of diplomatic relations. The Embassy of Japan in Fiji and the Fiji’s Embassy in Japan work in partnership to advance the common aspirations and interests of both the nations at the global and regional arena.