Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi arrived in Rarotonga yesterday afternoon, in transit on his way to the 5th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Busan, South Korea next week.

Tagelagi arrived in Rarotonga on an Air Rarotonga charter flight, and was met on arrival by Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, and Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum and Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Tepaeru Herrmann.

Bilateral discussions held in the VIP lounge on the Premier’s arrival covered flights connectivity, economic recovery, pandemic response and recovery, and the recent announcement by the United States of America towards recognition of both Cook Islands and Niue sovereignty.

Talks also extended to regional initiatives, including the Cook Islands assumption of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (PIFL) chair responsibilities and hosting of the PIFL meeting by the Cook Islands in 2023.

“This was a welcome opportunity to catch up with Premier Tagelagi on bilateral and regional matters,” said Special Envoy Herrmann.

“The Cook Islands and Niue have much in common on recent regional and international developments, including recent Cook Islands/French Polynesia flights connectivity, and US recognition of the Cook Islands and Niue sovereignty will see elevated levels of collaboration with Niue in the coming months.”

In addition to membership of the PIFL, the Cook Islands and Niue are part of the realm of New Zealand and members of the Polynesian Leaders Group.

Premier Tagelagi this week hosted international dignitaries including Australia Foreign Minister Wong; New Zealand Minister for Pacific People’s Aupito William Sio; and United States Ambassador to New Zealand Tom Udall as part of Niue’s 48th Constitution celebrations. A congratulatory message for the 48th Constitution celebrations from Prime Minister Brown to Premier Tagelagi was conveyed earlier this week. 

Following bilateral talks with DPM Tapaitau and Special Envoy Herrmann, Premier Tagelagi was welcomed by resident Niue community members who earlier this week celebrated Niue’s 48th constitution in Avarua

The Niue community hosted Premier Tagelagi last night before he departs for Korea via Auckland tomorrow morning. The Cook Islands delegation to the 5th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers will be led by Assistant Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana.

• MFAI