The Ambassador of the European Union for the Pacific, HE Sujiro Seam presented his letters of credence to HM King Tupou VI in a virtual ceremony yesterday, 28 September 2021.

Ambassador Seam is based in Suva, Fiji, but he thanked the Kingdom of Tonga “for taking the innovative step to allow the presentation of my letters of credence as the EU Ambassador accredited in Nuku’alofa via videoconference.”

He stressed the long-standing relationship and friendship between the European Union and the Kingdom of Tonga, based on a legacy of shared values, common priorities and successful development cooperation.

Ambassador Seam underlined that the new European Union Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific offers new opportunities for partnership with the Kingdom of Tonga, with a view to achieving stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development.

“The Kingdom of Tonga and the European Union have developed a close relationship in the Pacific based on common priorities on climate change, sustainable development and oceans and a successful development cooperation, in particular, our long-standing cooperation in the energy sector has brought our partnership to a new level and has deepened EU’s cooperation and support both to the Kingdom of Tonga and its people. A good example of our partnership is the recent approval of the Tonga Energy Bill 2021.”

Ambassador Seam was hopeful that the success of the Kingdom of Tonga against COVID-19 would soon allow him to visit Tonga.