Samoan Prime Minister Tui­laepa Aiono Sailele Maliel­egaoi will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in Suva to­day, where issues of mutual co-op­eration will be discussed.

Tuilaepa, who arrived in the coun­try last night on his first state visit, was accorded a guard of honour at the Nausori International Airport.

The Samoan PM was then accorded traditional ceremonies of welcome at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

He is in the country to deliver a speech at the University of the  South Pacific for the regional university’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“I am indeed honoured by the generous welcome for me and my delegation,” Tui­laepa said.

“In more ways than we, we as Pacific fami­lies, share many analogies and what we hold sacred in our customs and traditions.

“I wish to also express my sincere appre­ciation for the invitation from the Govern­ment of Fiji to turn this visit to an official one. Prime Minister, I thank you sincerely for your hospitality.”

Today, Tuilaepa will pay a courtesy call to President Major-General (Retired) Jioji Konrote at Borron House.

Tomorrow, Tuilaepa will deliver a keynote address at the Pacific Islands Forum Secre­tariat, of which Samoa holds the chairman­ship.