PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa: My heart is full
By: Tosimaeʻa Tupua
Email: tupua@opi.as.gov
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and her delegation have returned to Samoa with grateful hearts after a successful 3 days meeting in American Samoa.
Speaking briefly to KVZK News at the airport yesterday PM Fiame thanked Governor Lemanu P. S Mauga, the Fono and the people of American Samoa for the generosity, gifts and the hospitality shown to her and her delegation during their time in the Territory. She also made a special mention of all members of the FAST aiga in American Samoa.
Reflecting back on what has been a hectic three days, PM Fiame made a special mention of Governor Lemanu’s hope to enhance the prosperity and stability of our Atoa o Samoa Aiga. “I want to thank Governor Lemanu for the tet-a-tete meeting that we had to discuss issues one-on-one, on a personal basis. This is my sixth or seventh visit to American Samoa but this is my most important as Prime Minister to attend my first bilateral Atoa o Samoa meeting. ” said Fiame. She continued, “I have great ambition for our relationship, that we have the opportunity to strengthen our economic ties, to strengthen people-to-people relations through education and exchange of people. The fact that we brought to the Territory six of our cabinet ministers shows the importance that we place on this relationship.”
PM Fiame said Samoa will continue to stand with American Samoa and collectively, we will continue to stand up for each other. We will stand firm on our values and our beliefs, on what we know will enhance the prosperity and stability of our Atoa o Samoa aiga and what is firmly in the interests of our people.
“I’m honored to be among such close friends and family, to take these next steps with them to pursue positive and practical ways to support a free and open Atoa o Samoa dialogue,” said Fiame.
The two Samoas have mutually decided that the official name of the formerly known 2 Samoa Talks meeting will now be the Atoa o Samoa Executive Meeting and will occur biannually. The next meeting will be hosted in Samoa in September 2022 during the Teuila Festival.