Samoa will open its new High Commission chancery in Suva, Fiji on Tuesday to add to its growing diplomatic presence in the region with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to witness its opening.

Fiame will be joined by her Fijian colleague Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the official opening, according to a statement issued Sunday by the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

Samoa’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia, said in the statement that the opening of the chancery in Suva confirms Samoa’s commitment to collaboration with Fiji at all levels together with strengthening ties.

“The opening of the new Samoan High Commission in Fiji signifies Samoa’s unwavering commitment to elevate the current collaboration with Fiji at all levels and it’s also a true reflection of the strengthened relationship between the two countries, nurtured over many years,” Ali'i aiga said. 

“Having a full-fledged diplomatic presence in Suva ushers in a new dawn in the enduring and multifaceted Samoa-Fiji relations which is anchored in mutual trust and respect, genuine friendship and people to people ties.”

The significance of the location of the new Samoan diplomatic mission in Fiji was not lost on the experienced diplomat with Ali'i aiga pointing to the presence of various regional organisations in Suva.

“Being on the ground where all other Forum Island members are represented including the presence of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and other Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies, will allow Samoa to be an effective part of the solution in the Pacific collective search to unlock opportunities for expanded cooperation and build ever closer ties between Samoa and Fiji and the rest of our member states.”

Ali’ioaiga is Samoa's first High Commissioner to be appointed to Fiji, getting appointed as Head of Mission in February last year and was confirmed to the post by Samoa's new Government in February this year. 

The opening of Samoa’s new diplomatic mission will come a day after the opening of the Cook Islands High Commission, also in the Fijian capital Suva.

Current Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will also attend the opening on Monday, says the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.

Mr Bainimarama will have meetings with both his Cook Islands and Samoan counterparts.

The Cook Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, Jim Armistead expressed similar sentiments about Fiji being the regional hub of the Pacific Islands while reaffirming the partnership between the two countries.

“Fiji is at the heart of the Pacific and establishing a mission here has been a longstanding ambition for the Cook Islands and reflects the close ties that exist between our two countries,” he said. 

“There are many opportunities to expand our cooperation in trade, commerce, labour, education, culture, and people to people exchanges.”

The Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the cordial relations of Fiji with Samoa and Cook Islands, has continued to strengthen in socioeconomic development and mutual interests, over the years. Fiji established diplomatic ties with Samoa in 1974 and with the Cook Islands in 1998.