The second-highest-ranking official in the U.S Department of State says Washington is not letting the conflict in the Middle East stop it from advancing U.S economic and security priorities in the Pacific region.
“The current conflict in the Middle East doesn’t stop American diplomacy in the rest of the world,” U.S Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a social media post on X.
“I just completed a trip to cement our excellent partnerships in the South Pacific, where I met with political leaders and private sector representatives in Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa.”
Landau visited the three island nations from 26 February to 02 March, following the back of the Pacific Agenda investment summit he hosted from 22-24 February in Honolulu for senior officials from 16 Pacific Islands and territories and members of the American private sector.
In Tonga, Landau met with Tonga’s King Tupou VI, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, and Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua in Nuku’alofa.
“Tonga was never colonised, and has been ruled by kings for over 1000 years. Our two countries are committed to boosting economic and security cooperation. It is a surreal experience to meet someone and then see their face on a coin!”
Landau signed an enhanced “ship rider” agreement to bolster cooperation between the U.S Coast Guard and Tongan authorities.
In Fiji, he met Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, where he said the U.S and Fiji “deepened our cooperation on naval matters and economic development”.
Landau signed a US$12 million Compact Development Funding Agreement between the Fijian government and Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S government foreign assistance agency, focused on driving investment in the country.
During meetings with government officials in Apia, he discussed shared economic and security interests, including the intimate relationship with American Samoa.
He also signed an Open Skies agreement and reviewed port security operations.
