Prime Minister Mark Brown officially opened the Cook Islands High Commission in Suva, Fiji, on Sunday (Cook Islands time).

The official opening was attended by Fijian Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, former Cook Islands PM and current secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, officials from both countries and invited guests.

The first ever diplomatic mission of Cook Islands in Fiji symbolises a landmark achievement in the 24 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

PM Brown said Fiji is the regional hub for commerce, trade, education, diplomacy and home to many regional and international multilateral organisations.

“I am confident the close cooperation over many years between our officials on the bilateral and regional matters will ensure we deliver critical benefits to support our respective recovery efforts in the months ahead. Be assured our opening of this mission, in the aftermath of the economic and financial upheaval caused by Covid-19 is a testament to the potential Fiji offers and our determination to expand cooperation across the full spectrum of our shared areas of interest in the months ahead.”

PM Bainimarama said: “Fiji and the Cook Islands’ 24-year-old partnership is quite young by most standards. To me, that says the best is yet to come. This opening of your High Commission in Fiji is a testament to that. It is quite literally a solid foundation on which we can build. And I’m grateful and excited for what it signifies.”

“You’re in very good company here in Suva. Increasingly, our capital has become a community that includes all major international institutions. Fiji is the Pacific hub of trade, travel, telecommunications, and finance, and Suva is the one-stop shop for all matters multilateral. In one trip to one city, our region’s leaders can make connections and coordinate engagement with each other and the world.”

Cook Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, Jim Armistead said the opening of the Cook Islands High Commission reaffirms the Government of Cook Islands’ exemplary partnership with the Fijian Government in advancing shared aspirations. 

“Fiji is at the heart of the Pacific and establishing a mission here has been a longstanding ambition for the Cook Islands and reflects the close ties that exists between our two countries. There are many opportunities to expand our cooperation in trade, commerce, labour, education, culture, and people to people exchanges.”