Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka concluded his visit to Samoa on Saturday and left with a strong message for the region to stand together as geopolitical pressure has world’s superpowers focus more on the Pacific.

In the last year and half, the Pacific has seen increased attention from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India.

This is in response to the realisation that China has been more active in the Pacific than them. This heightened after the China-Solomon Islands security pact.

He arrived in Samoa on Wednesday and his first formal engagement was the nation’s 61^st Independence Day celebration.

Mr Rabuka is no stranger to Samoans; he has been making headlines in the local daily since 1987.

He reminded Pacific leaders of the achievements the region can collectively attain should they work together.

Addressing leaders at the Taumeasina Hotel on Thursday, Mr. Rabuka reminded them that Pacific Island countries should capitalise on their collective potential.

“You will probably recall that I mentioned that in Papua New Guinea, the Commonwealth of the Pacific we have so much in common that we have not taken advantage of, while the world has been taking advantage of them (Pacific),” he said.

“As we come together to celebrate household achievements like this, let us not forget the bigger things that we can achieve together as strong committed small nations of the Pacific. Together we’re big, together we’re strong, together we’re a force, the rest of the world to reckon with.”

Mr. Rabuka told leaders that Samoa can be looked to for inspiration.

“You have been a great shining example of national unity, I’m so grateful that you highlighted in the Declaration this morning; Samoa, Christian nation built on Christian principles of loving God and loving your fellow men and women, all those principles you can never go wrong with.”

Last Friday proved to be the busiest day of his stay in Samoa. He made a visit to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme with a special stopover at the Soil Lab.

Following his afternoon stopover at the University of the South Pacific where he declared that Fiji would make all efforts to pay its due to the tertiary institution as soon as possible.

Mr Rabuka was also surprised when told that the USP Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia had not made the switch back to Fiji despite the current Fijian Government lifting the immigration sanctions against him.

He then went to the office of the Human Rights Protection Party headquarters, the opposition parties office where he was accorded a traditional welcome. Knowing very well that political situation following the Constitutional crisis, the stopover f in an official capacity could send the wrong message to the administration in power.

He told the Samoa Observer that it was a quick stop to see an old friend as the suspended HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi had been leaders of their nations at one time.

Mr Rabuka’s final official stopover was the ‘talanoa’ session with the Fijian community in Samoa. There are almost 2000 Fijians in Samoa. Most are contracted employees while others are married to Samoans.

The most common query put forward by the Fijian community was if a Fijian embassy would be opened in Samoa.

Mr. Rabuka said there were no immediate plans but that is something that could be looked into.

He left on Saturday afternoon and was accorded a guard of honour at the airport.