Hon. Qereqeretabua meets Cook Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration

As Pacific Vuvale, Fiji and Cook Islands have reaffirmed commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation on regional solidarity, peace and prosperity.

This was conveyed during a meeting held between the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Lenora Qereqeretabua and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Cook Islands, Honourable Tingika Elikana. The meeting was convened on Sunday 3.08.25, as part of Hon. Qereqeretabua’s official visit to Rarotonga to attend the 60th Constitution Day Ceremony commemorated in Cook Islands on Tuesday 5th August 2025.

Hon. Qereqeretabua’s participation is in response to an invitation extended by Cook Islands for Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka to attend the 60th Constitution Day celebrations.

During the meeting, Hon. Qereqeretabua conveyed Prime Minister Rabuka’s apologies for not being able to participate in the celebrations as he had to attend the Parliament Sitting this week.

Hon. Qereqeretabua congratulated and extended the best wishes of Prime Minister Rabuka and the people of Fiji to the Government and people of Cook Islands on commemoration of the 60th anniversary. She thanked the Government of Cook Islands for the kind invitation and hospitality, stating it’s an honor for her to be part of the historic occasion that signifies our shared commitment to regional peace and harmony.

The Assistant Minister acknowledged the ongoing cooperation and friendly ties between the two nations. She noted that the Development Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed in 2023 between the two countries serves as a foundation to further deepen cooperation in economy and trade, air connectivity, diaspora engagement and labour mobility.

Additionally, the meeting explored opportunities for the two nations to work collaboratively in the build-up to upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) to convene in September, in Solomon Islands.

In his remarks, Honourable Elikana reaffirmed Cook Islands commitment to strengthening the development cooperation between the two nations. He acknowledged Fiji’s leadership and dedication to regional peace and prosperity, through the Oceans of Peace Concept which is expected to be tabled during the PIF Leaders Meeting. Hon. Elikana acknowledged Hon. Qereqeretabua for being part of the celebrations in Cook Islands this week and the productive discussions on advancing the cooperation.

Cook Islands and Fiji have enjoyed strong bilateral relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1998 which culminated in the opening of the Cook Islands High Commission in Suva in 2022 and accreditation of Fiji’s High Commission to New Zealand to Cook Islands in 2023. The Fijian diaspora in Cook Islands is close to 3000 with many of the Fijian workers employed in the tourism sector. The diaspora has contributed significantly to both economies.