A new era has been established in the restoration of the Pacific’s solidarity with Kiribati rejoining the Forum family, upon Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s first international engagement in Tarawa last month. Ahead of the Suva Agreement signing, a meeting was held between Prime Minister Rabuka and His Excellency Taneti Maamau. He said Kiribati is grateful to Prime Minister Rabuka for his remarkable support for Kiribati and our Pacific Vuvale. In response, President Maamau expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Rabuka for his decisive actions to resolve the impasse, in the Pacific way. He said the dialogue in the Pacific way has strengthened our resolve to overcome shared challenges by working in solidarity.Prime Minister Rabuka said Fiji and Kiribati share historical and cultural links, with special bonds of friendship and cooperation. Reflecting on his visit to Kiribati, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed his sincere gratitude to Kiribati for its commitment on Pacific’s unity. He also thanked Prime Minister Rabuka and the Fiji Government for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their visit to our shores this week. He is confident that the two nations will aspire to build upon the opportunities to further strengthen the partnership on issues of importance at regional and global level. Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed that Fiji stands with Kiribati all the way and together we will work towards the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent- which aligns with our vision of a prosperous and united Pacific. The cooperation came to fruition with the historic signing of the Suva Agreement by President of Kiribati, His Excellency Taneti Maamau, on the margins of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Nadi, yesterday.
The Pacific leaders have commended Prime Minister Rabuka’s exemplary leadership at the Forum, which revived the Pacific family’s unity at such a critical time for the region. He said the kind gesture and friendship shown by Prime Minister Rabuka during his visit to Tarawa will remain forever in the hearts of the Kiribati people. Both leaders exchanged views on a number of issues, including economic cooperation, opportunities and common challenges, global advocacy on Pacific priorities and building a prosperous and unified Pacific.
