Samoan Prime Minister Says Treaty Refresh with New Zealand Must Wait Until After Election
Published
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has said that talks to refresh the Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand should wait until a new New Zealand government is elected. Her response came after New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon raised the matter with her.
The Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1962, when Samoa became independent. It sets out the relationship between the two countries and covers areas such as cooperation and mutual support. Both governments have discussed updating the agreement so that it reflects the relationship between the two nations today.
According to the report, Ms Fiame said no to Mr Luxon's request to move forward now. She believes that a decision of this importance should be made by the government that will be in office after the next New Zealand general election. This means that any changes to the treaty are unlikely to be discussed in detail until after the vote.
The decision shows that Samoa wants to take its time with the treaty and make sure that the new agreement has support from the next government in Wellington. For New Zealanders, the outcome of the election may therefore shape the future of one of the country's most important relationships in the Pacific.
Sources: Te Ao Māori News
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