Tuesday 27th July

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) staff attended the National Environment Forum held from 20 to 22 July 2010 at the AOG Hall in Takuvaine, Rarotonga. The purpose of the forum was to discuss environmental priorities and consider the way forward, desired outcomes, issues and solutions for the National Environment Strategic Action Framework 2011-2015.

MFAI sat on the ‘Finance’ panel comprising the Financial Secretary, Manager of Aid Management, NZAID, Minister of Environment , National Environment Service and the Takitumu Conservation Area Trust. Ms Myra Patai highlighted the role that MFAI plays in securing financial assistance by expanding our relationships with other countries.  Ms Sisi Short and Ms Mata Hetland were invited by Ms Patai to relate their experience in securing funding for the EU - Muri Sanitation Project and how it has been used. 

The discussions from this forum will be used to compile the National Environmental Strategic Action Framework (NESAF) 2011-2015.

Tuesday 13th July 2010

His Excellency, Zhang Limin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will visit the Cook Islands from 18 – 21 July 2010. Resident in Wellington, this will be the third visit by the Ambassador to the Cook Islands.  The Ambassador will meet with members of Cabinet including the Prime Minister, the Hon Jim Marurai, and the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Robert Wigmore.

This visit will be the last by Ambassador Zhang in his capacity as Ambassador with the imminent completion of his term.  Ambassador Zhang will be replaced by Mr Xu Jianguo, another career diplomat from the PRC. 

During the Ambassador’s visit, Government will discuss with him various initiatives to strengthen ties between the Cook Islands and the PRC, including Cook Islands participation in the Shanghai Expo and Cook Islands-China trade.  “The ties of friendship and cooperation between the Cook Islands and China are important to us and it is through such visits that we are able to explore ways of strengthening and diversifying that relationship even further,” said the Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr Jim Gosselin.

The Ambassador will be accompanied by his wife and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Wellington.

Tuesday 13th July 2010

His Excellency, Zhang Limin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will visit the Cook Islands from 18 – 21 July 2010. Resident in Wellington, this will be the third visit by the Ambassador to the Cook Islands.  The Ambassador will meet with members of Cabinet including the Prime Minister, the Hon Jim Marurai, and the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Robert Wigmore.

This visit will be the last by Ambassador Zhang in his capacity as Ambassador with the imminent completion of his term.  Ambassador Zhang will be replaced by Mr Xu Jianguo, another career diplomat from the PRC. 

During the Ambassador’s visit, Government will discuss with him various initiatives to strengthen ties between the Cook Islands and the PRC, including Cook Islands participation in the Shanghai Expo and Cook Islands-China trade.  “The ties of friendship and cooperation between the Cook Islands and China are important to us and it is through such visits that we are able to explore ways of strengthening and diversifying that relationship even further,” said the Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr Jim Gosselin.

The Ambassador will be accompanied by his wife and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Wellington.

Thursday 23 June 2010

Her Excellency Mrs Siren Gjerme Eriksen, Ambassador designate of Norway to the Cook Islands is currently visiting the Cook Islands and arrived on Tuesday. The purpose of the Ambassadors visit is to present her letters of credentials to the Cook Islands Government.

The credentials ceremony will be held at Government House in Titikaveka tomorrow morning followed by meetings with Government representatives.

The Ambassador heads the Royal Norwegian Embassy based in Canberra, Australia which is concurrently accredited to the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. A career diplomat, Mrs Eriksen has over twenty years of experience working for the Norwegian  Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Friday 14 May 2010 

Officials from the Delegation of the European Union (EU) for the Pacific and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will visit Rarotonga from 17 – 21 May to discuss current and future cooperation with the Cook Islands.

The four-person delegation will meet with Government Ministers and officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.  Meetings will also be held with the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI), Airport Authority and the Chamber of Commerce.

Under the European Development Fund (EDF) program for the Cook Islands, EU funding is committed to the Pukapuka Cyclone Shelter and Muri Sanitation Projects.  Discussions on both Projects are expected to be a key part of the visit with a planned visit to Muri for discussions and a site inspection of the Sanitation Project.

The EIB, the EU’s “house bank” provides finance and assistance to members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group under the Cotonou Agreement.  EIB is focused on fostering private sector-led initiatives that promote economic growth and contribute to reducing poverty. 

In October 2009, EIB signed an agreement with BCI establishing a EURO 3 million package for long-term funding to improve access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises in the Cook Islands.  Discussions will be held next week with BCI to progress this initiative further.

 “The recent devastation caused in Aitutaki emphasizes the vulnerability of the Cook Islands to natural disasters and the EU’s continued commitment to the Pukapuka Cyclone Shelter Project is very much appreciated,” said Jim Gosselin, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.  “The Cook Islands is grateful for  the continued interest and support of both the EU and the EIB to the Cook Islands over the years and we look forward to next week’s visit as a useful opportunity for discussions on deepening current and future collaboration.”

14 April 2010

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration conducted a short training programme for the team representing the Cook Islands at the 2010 World Expo to be held in Shanghai. The programme included presentations and discussions on the Cook Islands/China relationship, foreign and trade policies.

The training was conducted by Foreign Affairs officials Sandra Tisam and Mona Mato.  “The Expo provides a useful opportunity to showcase Cook Islands tourism, culture and exports.  The Ministry welcomes this collaborative opportunity to help equip Team Cook Islands with information to deliver a high level of ambassadorial services for the Cook Islands during the Expo.”

Team Cook Islands for the World Expo include Angela Manarangi, Commissioner General for the Cook Islands Delegation; with Demitra Tavioni-Neophitou, Elmond Numanga, Kura Taruia-Enua and Michael Jonassen.  Team Cook Islands will be based in the Pacific Pavilion at the Expo showgrounds with 15 other Pacific Island Countries over a six month period.

The Expo will be held from 1 May to 31 October 2010 and is expected to attract over 70 million visitors and 200 participating countries. 40,000 people are expected to visit the Pacific Pavilion daily. 

From L-R: Mr Mona Mato, Trade Policy Officer,
Ms Sandra Tisam, Foreign Affairs Officer from Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Immigration with
Ms Angela Manarangi, Commissioner General for the
Cook Islands, Miss Demitra Tavioni-Neophitou,
Mrs Elmond Numanga, Mrs Kura Taruia-Enua and
Mr Michael Jonassen, delegates representing the
Cook Islands at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.