By Staff Writer
The warmth was endearing on the cooler heights of Vailima where Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa welcomed her New Zealand counterpart, PM Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday evening at the Robert Louis Stevenson home grounds.
The traditional cultural welcome with the ava ceremony was equally cordial for the visiting New Zealand leader and her large delegation.
The occasion was for more celebration talks on the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand.
The visit was to return the PM Fiame invitation for PM Ardern to come to Samoa and continue to go over how they can improve on the Treaty.
There have been criticisms of the treaty and it was coming from Samoa.
The former Prime Minister and leader of the HRPP opposition, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, in his watchdog duties, claimed the Treaty was not being fully honoured by New Zealand.
The struggle by Samoans for entry visas to New Zealand was a key concern Tuilaepa found glaring.
He was very vocal about it, days before PM’s Ardern and her delegation landed in Samoa.
The two Prime Ministers gave public assurances that the Treaty allows for discussions to resolve any disagreements, but it remains unclear without any official announcement whether any decision was made on the complaints by Tuilaepa.
The chance to include the opposition leader in the talks as an ideal opportunity to look at ways to resolve the issue were overlooked while in Apia for two days from Monday –Tuesday.
When asked by the media if he was asked to join the talks Tuilaepa confirmed he was not.
“ I waited to see if they will ask but they did not and it did not surprise me because the same thing happened with the visit by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister visit and the Australian Minister’s visit as well.
“The decision is up to Government and if I was included in the talks I would have raised the visa issue and more.”
PM Ardern included the leader of the New Zealand National opposition party in her delegation but could not be confirmed if he was involved in the talks between the two women leaders.
Here are a few key excerpts from PM Ardern’s special address on arrival in Apia :
A unique agreement……
The Treaty is representative of the unique relationship between Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand. We don’t have a treaty of this kind with any other country.
It is an Agreement that affirms it is between two governments of “sovereign and equal status” and that the relationship between our two governments is founded on respect for human rights and “the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”.
It recognises that there is an intimate relationship between our two independent states based on “friendship, confidence, and a mutual endeavour to obtain for their peoples fuller opportunities for social progress”.
Moreover, both governments commit to maintain and strengthen “the bonds of amity and goodwill” that have existed between them, and to “provide for continued cooperation.”
I want to take the opportunity here tonight to express Aotearoa New Zealand’s enduring commitment to this Treaty.
But not all plain sailing…..
Many people – past and present – have worked tirelessly to build our friendly relationship and keep it in good repair.
That’s not to say our relationship and commitment to the Treaty of Friendship has always been plain sailing. Even the best of friends may disagree from time to time.
But just like the Māori proverb, “Mā te kōrero, ka ora” – a little chat can go a long way – we’ve never stopped communicating.
So we’ve worked to reconcile differences as close friends and families often do.
I believe our bonds of friendship have become even stronger as we’ve travelled on a path together, building mutual respect and understanding in the process.
Tusitala probably said it best when writing that “We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.”
And we’ve emerged as “Lifelong Friends”…
It’s no surprise then that the overriding theme we’ve chosen for our sixtieth anniversary of the Treaty is “Lifelong Friends – Uō Mamae”.
PM Fiame in her address made several remarks highlighted by some of the excerpts:
“We are proud of the contribution Samoans make to all aspects of envelopment in New Zealand-we also take note of the negative aspects and do our best to deliver counsel through familial links and societal connections
“Relationships depend on building and rebuilding. We also recognize that we can disagree. But as is the philosophy that is pervasive in the Pacific – there is always space to talanoa and keep dialogues open.
“The 60 year friendship has withstood the test of time and constant debate. We are committed to being a friend and an equal partner and much less a dependent…..
“…..the Treaty of Friendship has endured as the compass of our bilateral relationship and has kept us on course and adherence to principles and values.
“Our enduring friendship and continuing shared history will be defined by how our respective peoples interact, contribute and engage in either society. After all we are products of our histories.
“I am confident that our unique friendship will continue to expand and deepen. And we recommit ourselves to walk together on whatever paths the future may hold for us both as friends and neighbours in our home in the Blue Pacific continent.”