With the country’s growing diplomatic relations – both regionally and internationally – Pacific Island countries continue to reach out to Fiji with the interest to strengthen their bilateral partnerships.

This has been reflected through the recent engagements undertaken between the officials of the Fijian Government and the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Tepaeru Herrmaan, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Major-General (Ret’d) Ioane Naivalurua.

The counterparts exchanged information on the ways to forge strengthened collaboration.

Mr Naivalurua congratulated Ms Herrman on her successful chairmanship of the Pacific Island Forum Officials Committee.

Ms Hermann’s year-long appointment ended with the Forum’s budget and work programme meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday as she handed over the reins to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Ms Herrmaan noted the Cook Islands’ interest in its relations with Fiji was broad, something that they would like to explore further. She also discussed the establishment of a diplomatic mission here.

Mr Naivalurua welcomed the Cook Islands intention to establish a mission here and reassured Ms Hermann of the ministry’s commitment to facilitate the process. He further mentioned, the establishment of the mission would significantly serve to strengthen existing relations between the two countries.

They also discussed initiatives around closer collaboration between executive management officials in the Pacific through an organised forum and the need for a platform to nurture the development of the young Pacific leaders.

Fiji had established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands since 1998. Fiji has maintained trading ties with the Cook Islands through the Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA).

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