Tonga has offered the former British High Commissioner's Residence in Nuku'alofa to the United Kingdom in the hope that the UK will re-open a mission there.
Pacific leaders at talks with the head of Britain's Diplomatic Service at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Simon McDonald. Photo: Government of the Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga's prime minister Akilisi Pohiva made the offer while in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
He and other Pacific leaders had talks with the head of Britain's Diplomatic Service at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Simon McDonald, at a Ministerial Roundtable meeting.
Sir Simon said his government would soon announce plans to re-engage with the South Pacific which would include re-opening missions in some Island states.
The move comes as the UK prepares to exit from the European Union within 12 months.
Akilisi Pohiva with Sir Simon McDonald Photo: Government of the Kingdom of Tonga
Mr Pohiva said British diplomats had not been present in Tonga for 12 years and a move towards a closer connection with Pacific nations was "music to Tongan ears".
At the moment the closest British diplomatic representative is in Fiji.
Mr Pohiva said before he left for Commonwealth summit, he asked the army to repair the fence of the High Commissioner's Residence as well as the minor damage to parts of the building that had been caused by Cyclone Gita.