Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday received his Samoan counterpart, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Bainimarama welcomed Malielegaoi to Fiji before accompanying him to a traditional welcoming ceremony that was performed by the members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

Malielegaoi commended Bainimarama and the Fijian government for the ceremonies of welcome accorded to him and his delegation.

He expressed his sincere appreciation for the invitation from the government to turn his visit into an official one.

Malielegaoi says in more ways than one we as a Pacific family share many commonalities and what we all hold sacred is our customs and traditions.

He will be in the country for three days and has also invited Bainimarama to visit Samoa.