---

Fiji's Roving Ambassador-Designate to the FSM Presents Credentials to President Mori

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): February 15, 2010 - On February 9, 2010, Fiji's Roving Ambassador-designate to the FSM, His Excellency Ratu Seremia Tuinausori Cavuilati, presented his credentials to President Mori in Palikir with members of the President's Cabinet and Ambassadors and representatives of resident missions of Australia, the People's Republic of China, Japan and the United States of America in attendance.

Ambassador Cavuilati gave brief remarks about the friendly bilateral relationship between Fiji and the FSM, starting with their first diplomatic relations in 1988. The Fiji Ambassador thanked President Mori for the friendship of the FSM, and said that Fiji is looking at areas that can be strengthened in their bilateral relationship.

President Mori followed the Ambassador with brief remarks that began with the fact that Fiji was one of the first countries that recognized the FSM's independence and the President noted that this relationship has remained strong until today. President Mori stated that the FSM values the cordial and cooperative relations that it has with Fiji and that this friendship is very much appreciated in light of the growing challenges in areas such as climate change, sea-level rise, resource depletion and over-exploitation, transnational crimes, and illegal fishing. The President said, "Our Pacific tradition of exchanging views and consulting each other in the Pacific Way remains the best way to reach solutions on pressing and sensitive matters that confronts us."

President Mori also noted the recent "positive developments in our region" pointing to the recent meeting of Foreign Ministers of Fiji, New Zealand and Australia held in Canberra as a positive development which he very much welcomes and appreciate. The President stated that, "these are indeed first positive developments and I truly hope for more such developments to come in the days ahead."