The United States has dedicated new Embassy in Nuku’alofa, Tonga which is for the testament to both countries strong ties, the dedication of the people, and unlimited potential of the countries relationship.
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken who said he’s thrilled to make his first visit to Tonga and to return to the Pacific Islands for the third time in this job and the second time this year, just in the last few months.
In his remarks at the dedication of the new Embassy, Blinken said the United States values its deep and longstanding ties with Tonga and with all its friends in the Pacific Islands.
According to him, “President Biden is committed to forging a new era in our partnership with Tonga and with the Pacific Islands, one of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit with our countries working together to advance what is a shared vision for a region that’s free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, resilient.
“Achieving that vision, making it real starts with listening. That’s why the President launched the U.S.-Pacific Island Summit last year to hear the priorities, the perspectives, the concerns of Pacific Island leaders and their people.
“So that together we can shape and advance a shared approach based on our common interests. The President is eager to continue that work by hosting a second summit in Washington later this year”, he said.
The Secretary said the United States celebrating a major step to build up its engagement in Tonga which is the opening of its Embassy.
“Together with our new mission in the Solomon Islands and eventually missions in Kiribati and Vanuatu, this embassy will help us deliver for all of our people and build the shared future we envision.
“So we’ve done this at record pace. At last July’s Pacific Island’s Forum when the Vice President announced our intention to open the embassy here, it was with this vision of better connecting our countries.
“We actually raised the flag in May for the first time over this building. And in just a few weeks, the embassy’s first assigned U.S. diplomat will be here on the ground”.
He made it known that the new Embassy Tonga has already hit the ground running. “This team has set partnerships with local organizations to connect girls and young women to a STEM education so that they can study and, one day.
“Solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. They’re helping return the Peace Corps to Tonga. And today I’ll have the opportunity to see some of the newest volunteers continuing an incredibly rich history, a partnership of connection between Americans and Tongans”.
Blinken said, “Ta’u and the thousands of Tongans and Americans who visit, who work, who live in our two countries, they remind us of the remarkably deep connections that bind us together.
“That, fundamentally, is what it’s all about. And with the U.S. Embassy Tonga open – hard at work – those connections are only going to grow stronger than ever, making the future for our partnership and for the region that we share very bright indeed.
He noted that this is an important milestone, “but as I like to say, as important as these occasions are – and this one day is, the 364 days that follow will really be evidence of our commitment and of the work that we’re doing together to build better lives for all of our people”.
