Government
Samoa Talks to resume in Apia in September
Staff Reporters
AMERICAN SAMOA – 29 JULY 2022: The Samoa Talks ended in American Samoa this afternoon with a number of issues raised that will be followed up when the leaders and officials of the two Samoas again meet in Apia in early September.
The last time the Samoa Talks was held was in Samoa in 2017 and delays were compounded by the border lockdowns brought by the measles epidemic in 2019 and followed by the Covid pandemic.
This weeks’ meeting is the first for both governments that are only into their first year in office.
The Talks strengthens the cooperation of both Samoa’s who are in a unique position with different political systems but share very close familial and cultural ties.
Since the Talks were initiated in 1989, the discussions have pursued the spirit of mutual cooperation for the social and economic advancement of both countries.
The talks ended this afternoon at the Community College conference centre, with the adoption of the name the annual talks will now be known as Atoa o Samoa – (loosely translated as) United Samoa, a name proposed by the host and used in the meeting documents.
This week, issues again looked at easing exiting immigration requirements with numerous complaints against the Talofa Pass screening app with a call to terminate it as a new 14 day short term travel permit is being reviewed especially for business and short term travellers.
Inter Samoa trade remains high in priority with Samoa looking at working with American Samoa on products that can access the main US market. Samoa with its scientific research laboratory – SROS, shared some of its products such as glutten free breadfruit flour, sanitizers, whiskey made from taro and others.
Both Samoa’s have shared resources in Health and will continue to do so in the future.
Delegations of both Samoas at this week Samoa Talks.
In business, Samoa proposed the potential of a Samoa owned bank to be established in American Samoa with ANZ exiting the territory at the end of September.
The Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo told the meeting all the efforts to push inter Samoa trade need a financial facility such as a bank to deliver it. Mulipola told the meeting that Samoa has the locally owned banks who may be interested in establishing in American Samoa.
Both Governor Lemanu Mauga Peleti and Treasurer Malemo Tausaga support the idea which will now be explored.
Also discussed were inter island shipping and aviation, available trained Samoans as pilots and marine engineers to fill available job opportunities and the impacts of climate change, returned inmates, police and law enforcers training and exchange and American Samoa’s participation in the Samoa Language Commission.
On foreign policy, Samoa encouraged the American Samoan government to push for its seat in regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum for an effective combined regional voice on vital issues discussed on the international forum. American Samoa is part of the Polynesian Group of countries and Samoa has offered to host its headquarters.
The meeting resumes in Apia in early September in tie for the Teuila Festival and an opportunity for the American Samoa’s Governor and delegation to participate in the celebration of Samoa’s 60th independence.
The Talks ended with the reciprocal cultural presentations of fine mats, tapa, food and money by both parties at the Suiga’ula o le Atuvasa Fale at Utulei, American Samoa.