P.M. welcomes visa waiver agreement

By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 10 March 2019, 12:00AM

The signing of a visa waiver agreement between Samoa and Israel has been welcomed by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who says this will only strengthen the links between the two countries.


“Prime Minister I am certain that this visa arrangement will foster more people to people linkages between our two countries,” Tuilaepa told his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, last week. 


The agreement was signed during a bilateral meeting in Jerusalem where Mr. Netanyahu welcomed Prime Minister Tuilaepa as a “friend.”

“I am most appreciative of the opportunity to be in Israel because such are one of the ways by which we are continuing to build on our relations,” Tuilaepa said in response. 

“Such is the reason why I am happy that after a number of years of discussions and no doubt negotiations, another window of opportunity has opened for furthering cooperation between our two countries through the signing of the visa waiver agreement today.

“As a founding member of the Asian development Bank we have also signaled our support of Israel’s application to be a member of the Bank.

“We continue to be meaningfully engaged at the United Nations as a responsible international citizen and in manner alike give careful and considered support to Israel to the maximum extent possible.

“Though these might seem small measures from a small island developing country, we can only do our best and we see potential and mutual benefit to our two countries through the visa waiver arrangement. Israel will continue to draw the world to itself through its rich and valuable cultural history and Samoa is no exception. Pilgrimages come from Samoa to Israel every year. 

“The technological and innovative advances of Israel to address development problems, will attract trainees from countries like Samoa.”







By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 10 March 2019, 12:00AM

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