New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, says a new chapter of relations between the US and Pacific Forum nations is set to begin after the visit by Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, to Samoa.
Dr Rice travelled to Samoa from Auckland for a three-hour stop-over where she joined more than a dozen ministers from the Pacific Forum to discuss Fiji, maritime security and climate change, among other issues.
A senior U.S. official said she pressed Fiji to ensure the country's military rulers held elections as promised in March 2009.
Fiji's interim Foreign Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, arrived at the meeting late.
Following the talks, Samoa's Prime Minister,Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi said the issue was raised of US assistance for small island states to help with the current high cost of fuel and food .
American Samoa's Governor, Togiola Tulafono, says the possible inclusion of US territories in the region in the Pacific forum was also discussed.
