The Samoan government opens wider opportunities for Indonesia to fill bilateral relations between the two countries. Cooperation that can be forged more closely includes the agricultural sector, fisheries, development cooperation, exports and imports.
This was the key topic of the Indonesian Ambassador to Samoa based in Wellington, Fientje Maritje Suebu, when meeting two Samoan cabinet ministers in Samoa's capital, Apia, Wednesday (21/2/2023).
The two Ministers are the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Hon. Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Hon. Toealesulusulu Cedric Shuster.
"Right now we want to add value to the products we make. It is also important for us to have food safety and a healthy lifestyle for the community," said Laauli Fosi in a press release received by Kompas TV from the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington.
Meanwhile Minister Shuster added that they welcomed the technical cooperation initiatives and opportunities provided by Indonesia. "We can do things that directly impact people's welfare," he said. Samoa.
“As part of the big Pacific family, Indonesia and Samoa have a lot in common. We are blessed with abundant natural wealth, friendly people and stunning natural scenery," Ambassador Fientje said in his Credentials handover speech.
Furthermore, Ambassador Fientje emphasized Indonesia's commitment to continuing to foster cooperation and collaboration with Samoa in supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity, economy and trade, efforts to deal with the post-pandemic Covid-19, social culture and relations between people and communities, as well as infrastructure development, environmental protection, efforts climate change mitigation and other issues.”
During his visit to Samoa, Ambassador Fientje also had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiam Naomi Mata afa.
At the meeting with the prime minister, Ambassador Fientje conveyed President Joko Widodo's mandate to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, mutual support and cooperation in various regional and international organizations, including at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), where Indonesia is also included as a dialogue partner in the forums.
Ambassador Fientje also conveyed the readiness of the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington to hold a meeting with Samoan officials to discuss further collaboration in the field of technical assistance and capacity building programs needed by Samoa. By submitting the credentials, Ambassador Fientje was officially accepted as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic Indonesia for the Independent State of Samoa, domiciled in Wellington.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Independent State of Samoa have been established since 1980.
Apart from representing Indonesia for Samoa, Ambassador Fientje is also accredited for New Zealand, the Kingdom of Tonga, Niue and the Cook Islands. Previously, Ambassador Fientje had submitted a credential to the Governor General of New Zealand; The Queen's Chief Representative to the Cook Islands; and Premier Niue in person, and to the King of Tonga online, in 2022.
