The United States government has approved the establishment of a Consulate Office for Samoa in American Samoa.
Samoa had asked officials in Washington to set up an office in Pago Pago to assist with processing of immigration requirements for Samoan citizens visiting the territory, as well as entry permits for US nationals visiting Samoa.
Samoa wants the office in Pago Pago to issue travel permits for American Samoans to visit Apia and act as a conduit for Samoan travellers seeking permits to enter the territory.
Approval from the US State Department has been relayed to Samoa's Foreign Affairs ministry.
The Samoa government has yet to disclose when the new consulate office will start operations.
In the early 1980s Samoa opened an office in American Samoa, with Sala Ulugia Suivai as the official representative.
The office was closed a few years later during a government changeover.
