In the spirit of the Pacific Vuvale, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka today received a courtesy call from his counterpart, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Feleti Teo.
In their first meeting, the two leaders acknowledged the deep historical and people-to-people ties that Fiji and Tuvalu share.
Prime Minister Teo acknowledged with appreciation the linkages between the two economies and contributions of the Fijian diaspora residing and working in Tuvalu as teachers, nurses and doctors.
He also highlighted the growing Tuvaluan community who have made Fiji home.
In recognition of the growing bilateral relations, the two leaders discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in key sectors including education, health, agriculture, climate resilience and connectivity.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing this relationship through a potential framework agreement that would encapsulate all areas of cooperation.
The two leaders also acknowledged the upcoming 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Tonga from 26-30 August 2024 where they look forward to deliberating regional priorities with Forum Leaders.
Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed Tuvalu’s interest in progressing the establishment of a Tuvaluan community facility to cater for the needs of the growing Tuvaluan diaspora in Fiji and where he reaffirmed Fiji’s support for this initiative.
Prime Minister Teo’s visit to Fiji signifies the warm relations and shared commitment to elevate cooperation in view of current and emerging issues.
The meeting was also attended by the Tuvaluan High Commissioner to Fiji, DrEselealofa Apinelu, and the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala.
