|
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, September 21, 2007)
Contact: click here to email newsroom
(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989
Gov. Togiola & PM Tuilaepa open
Samoa Talks in Apia
click here for pictures
(APIA) – Governor Togiola Tulafono and Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi this morning convened the 7th Meeting on Cooperation Issues Between the Two Samoas at the Central Bank Building in Apia.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa began the meeting at 10am with a request to Governor Togiola to offer the opening prayer before officially welcoming the American Samoa delegation.
“Thank you and welcome to Samoa. It is an honor for me to be hosting the Honorable Governor Togiola Tulafono and his delegation to the Meeting of the Two Samoas. As Samoans, this is always the highest level of government visit for our respective countries and we are honored to host our meeting,” said Prime Minister Tuilaepa. “We are grateful to American Samoa for its leadership across the eastern side of the water and we gather again, as we do every year, for discussions that are very useful for our countries and to maintain our strong relations.”
Prime Minister Tuilaepa, in his welcoming remarks, said he welcomed Governor Togiola with the support of his cabinet and the people of the Independent State of Samoa.
“My esteemed colleagues join me in expressing a warm welcome to you and your delegation from American Samoa. Our gatherings in the past have always resulted in very important steps forward for both of our governments,” said Prime Minister Tuilaepa. “And so again, we come to the table to discuss the issues that will take our relationship forward and achieve our development goals. It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you.”
Governor Togiola, in his opening remarks, expressed the sincere gratitude of the American Samoa Government and looked forward to a very productive meeting.
“Honorable Prime Minister Tuilaepa, we are delighted to be in Samoa with a deep and wholehearted appreciation of you hosting our meeting this year. Thank you very much. We are very grateful and we offer the sincere thanks of the American Samoa delegation,” said Governor Togiola. “We always look forward to our meeting each year as we continue to work together as partners today and for years to come. Meeting face to face is always important to share and exchange ideas as well strengthen our ties.”
Governor Togiola said the yearly meeting is a big boost in sharing dialogue to improve the lives of the citizens of both countries.
“We both come together for the betterment of Samoa and American Samoa. Our political status may be different, but the same cultural tie allows our two countries to paddle the same canoe,” said Governor Togiola. “On behalf of the people of American Samoa, I wish to offer our sincere gratitude and congratulations for a very successful South Pacific Games this year. The world continues to rave about how great the Games were. And that same spirit, I look forward to a very productive meeting.”
Governor Togiola and Prime Minister Tuilaepa were scheduled to discuss eleven issues, which include Immigration, Telecommunications, Energy, Customs - Police Surveillance - Exclusive Economic Zone, Transportation, Environment, Joint Disaster Preparedness Arrangements, Health, Education - Sports & Culture, Agriculture & Fisheries, Economic Integration and Economic Development, as well as other issues.
According to the Oversight Committee, if time does not allow for full discussion of the issues today, the meeting will continue tomorrow, Saturday. If Governor Togiola and Prime Minister Tuilaepa complete the agenda today, and the official report of the meeting (Record of Outcomes) by the Oversight Committee is completed late this afternoon, then the signing of the Record of Outcome ceremony will take place this evening during the state dinner to be hosted by the Prime Minister at Nafanua, a government retreat facility near Vailima.
Joining Governor Togiola, as part of the American Samoa delegation, are the Department of Legal Affairs - Fepulea’i Afa Ripley Jr., Attorney General, and Ufuti Fa’afetai Ieremia, Chief Immigration Officer; American Samoa Power Authority - Andra Samoa, CEO, Joachim Fong, Planning and Special Projects, and Tony Atilua, Senior Electric Supervisor, Power Generation Division; Department of Commerce - Lelei Peau, Deputy Director, and Lupe Aumavae, Commerce Planner; Department of Port Administration - Matagi Ray Mailo McMoore, Director; Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources - Ufagafa Ray Tulafono, Director; Department of Public Safety - Filifa’atali Mike Fuiava, Deputy Commissioner, and Leseiau Vaitoelau Laumoli, Chief of Police; American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority - Alex Sene Jr., Deputy Director; Department of Homeland Security - Sam Tinae; Office of the Governor - Toetasi Fue Tuiteleleapaga, Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel, and Tialuga Vincent Iuli, Governor’s Press Officer.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa was joined at the meeting by members of the cabinet: Taua Tavaga Kitiona Seuala, Minister of Agriculture, Tuu’u Anasi’i Leota, Minister of Revenue and Customs, To’omata Alapati Poese To’omata, Minister of Education, Gatoloa’ifa’ana Amataga Alesana Gidlow, Minister of Health, Unasa Mesi Galo, Minister of Justice, Toleafoa Leaupepe Fa’afisi, Minister of Police and Prisons, and seventeen ministerial CEOs and support staff.
|
