US and Tonga committed to strengthen partnership

This was announced in a press conference at St George Government Building on July 26, during the US Secretary of State, Mr. Antony John Blinken’s one day visit to Tonga.

Secretary Blinken said, “President Biden is fully committed to working with Tonga and with all Pacific Islands to usher in a new era of even closer collaboration to deliver on the issues that matter most to our people rooted in mutual respect and mutual trust.”

“This partnership is vital to making real a shared vision the region and the broader Inter-Pacific, a region that’s open, that’s free, that’s connected, that’s prosperous, that’s secure, that is resilient.”

At the first US Pacific Island Summit launched by the President Biden last year in Washington, D.C., Pacific leaders and the US issued the US-Pacific Partnership Declaration which committed parties to work together to address challenges.

“As part of that commitment, we announced over $810 million dollars to support programs in the Pacific Islands like Tonga. That includes nearly half a billion dollars to manage the growing effects of the climate crisis, an immediate existential challenge in the Pacific, a daily reality in Tonga.

“We’re strengthening our partnership on other priorities for Tonga and for the region including on clean energy and sustainable infrastructure so that we can reach a net zero future, maritime security so that we can ensure a peaceful and stable future for the Pacific, digital transformation so that we can build open, interoperable, reliable and secure online infrastructure and connect people better and what we call people-centered development so that we can drive inclusive economic growth that lifts everyone. These are all areas of focus of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”

According to Blinken, the US is building up its diplomatic capacity in the region to better understand the needs of its Pacific partners.

“Today, we discussed concrete ways to carry forward this momentum that includes building on our work to strengthen our bilateral relationship, none more significant than opening the new embassy.”

Last year, President Biden also launched the Partners of the Blue Pacific to better coordinate efforts on issues including maritime security and IUU.

“When I travel after here to New Zealand and then to Australia, I’ll discuss with my counterparts ways to advance that work including on maritime security and on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

We know that this is in many places, devastating livelihoods, doing terrible damaged to ecosystems and together with our partners in the Blue Pacific, an area where we’re going to intensely focus our efforts.”

Hon Hu’akavameiliku said, Secretary Blinken’s visit to Tonga was historic and an indication of the US commitment to strengthen its relations with Tonga.

“Last year, we celebrated a milestone, 50 years of diplomatic relations with the United States and welcome the announcement by Vice President Kamara Harris of the United States decision to establish its first diplomatic mission here in the Kingdom.”

“I congratulated the Secretary for their work undertaking together with our officials and who work tirelessly to ensure that the US Embassy was set up in record time. In May this year, we hoisted for the very first time the flag of the United States in Nuku’alofa at a remarkable and historic event marking the establishment of the Embassy.”

He acknowledged the contributions made by the US Peace Corps to Tonga.

“The United States and the Kingdom of Tonga enjoy a long standing and enduring partnership. A string of that partnership is the people to people links and we appreciate and acknowledge the important and valuable contribution from the United States Peace Corps.”

Hon Hu’akavameiliku also noted strong defense links between Tonga and the US including the deployment of Tongan soldiers to Iraq, to support US troops and to Afghanistan to support the British Armed Forces.

He also expressed his gratitude to Secretary Blinken for visiting Tonga and anticipated continued efforts between the two countries to achieve shared goals and interest.

While in Tonga, Secretary Blinken visited the Cenotaph at Pangai Si’i to pay his respects to the fallen servicemen who fought in World Wars I and II.

Following the dedication of the new US Embassy in Nuku’alofa, Blinken sworn in the newest cohort of US Peace Corps volunteers at Katea Resort before departing Tonga.