The Fiji – Samoa relationship has in the last 48 hours hit a new height with the official state visit of Samoan Prime Minister – Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi and his delegation to Fiji.

With the signing of a development cooperation agreement yesterday by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his Samoan counter-part, the renewed partnership is one that aims to ensure that whatever the future holds, the challenges will be met side by side.

Bainimarama in a welcome reception last night for the Samoan Prime Minister noted that they are embarking on building new and stronger bridges of cooperation to connect our people and economies.

Highlighting that our rivalries would remain on the rugby field, the Prime Minister outlined that together the two countries would carry the voice and perspective of our people to the world.

“Because unlike the Sevens World Series or the Pacific Nations Cup, we know, in regional leadership, there is no one winner and there is no first-place trophy. The only prize that matters is the future we secure for our people: for Fijians, for Samoans, and for every Pacific Islander.”

When Fiji and Samoa succeed in protecting the interests of our citizens, we share those victories, the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile the Samoan Prime Minister, Malielegaoi noted that working together was the only forward when it came to the protection of our oceans and seas.

“We had sowed the seeds of the Blue Pacific narrative calling us all to work together to draw upon our shared ocean identities, geography and resources.”

The Samoan Prime Minister is scheduled to leave Fiji tomorrow bound for Australia.