20th November, 2019 Australia’s Head of the Office of the Pacific, Mr Ewen McDonald, arrived in Tonga yesterday to conduct high level consultations with the Tongan government. While in Tonga, Mr McDonald is meeting with Ministers and officials to consult on a broad range of shared priorities between Australia and Tonga including economic growth, security and development cooperation among others.
On Monday, he met with Australia Awards alumni and visited His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Masefield Naval Base at Touliki. He toured the new ship, VOEA Ngahau Koula, the first of two Guardian Class Patrol Boats gifted by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
“Australia and Tonga have a warm and longstanding relationship reflecting a broad partnership including development support, police and military cooperation, labour mobility and various programs that focus on building our people-to-people links.
I am delighted to be able discuss all these things with my Tongan counterparts in person, and to continue strengthening our relationship in a meaningful way.”
Mr McDonald is the inaugural Head of the Office of the Pacific within Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Prior to his appointment, Mr McDonald was Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, with accreditation to the Cook Islands and Niue, working closely with New Zealand on collaboration and co-operation in the Pacific including implementation of Australia’s ‘step up’ and New Zealand’s ‘reset’. He also worked with the Cook Islands and Niue to support the implementation of their development priorities. Mr McDonald will depart Tonga this evening.
The Office of the Pacific was established to support Australia’s deepening engagement in the Pacific. Australia continues to deepen social, educational and cultural links with Tonga recognising the countries’ shared interest in a peaceful and prosperous Pacific.
ENDS
Australian High Commission, Nuku’alofa
Private Bag 35, Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Telephone: (676) 20400 Facsimile: (676) 23243
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