Princess Angelika Tuku’aho, Julie Bishop and guests. Photo courtesy Tonga High Commission, Canberra.

Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, Princess Angelika Tuku’aho met Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop in Canberra, Australia yesterday, Wednesday February 26.

The princess was among the Pacific Island High Commissioners at morning tea hosted by Ms Bishop to engage in dialogue on Australia’s foreign policy interests in the Pacific Region, with representatives from New Zealand, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

“Australia and Tonga enjoy close relations through Australia’s support on its aid programme, defence cooperation, police capacity-building development,” said Princess Angelika.

"Australia has invested approximately $95 million dollars in Tonga in the previous three years.”

She stated that In 2012-13, Australia provided $31.1 million in developmental assistance to Tonga and was anticipated that $31 million would be provided for 2013-14.

Australia is a major destination for Tongans seeking education, travel and business opportunities.