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| 17/7/08 - Fiji to establish resident diplomatic mission in South Africa and Brazil |
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Fiji will establish a resident diplomatic Mission in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, and in Brasillia Federative Republic of Brazil.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
Ratu Epeli said that Fiji is currently pursuing the strengthening of its diplomatic relations with the international community.
“In its efforts to engage more widely and more intensely, Fiji has adopted various interrelated but distinct policy approaches: Looking North; South-South Cooperation; and courting Non-traditional bilateral partners.
“The pursuit of deeper engagement with Latvia, Iceland, Estonia, Cuba, Brazil and strengthening of relations with India, China and Korea are cases in point.”
Ratu Epeli said that establishing a diplomatic Mission in South Africa is a crucial step in this direction.
“The establishment of a resident High Commission in Johannesburg will be a first for Fiji, and for a Developing Pacific Island country for that matter, at this level.
“This move is also a symbolic completion of the reciprocal exchange of diplomatic Missions between countries that have full diplomatic relations.”
Ratu Epeli further said that establishing a diplomatic Mission in Brazil will be a first for Fiji in the South American Region.
He said that Fiji established full diplomatic relations with Brazil on 16 February, 2006 and establishing a resident Mission by 2009 is consistent with Fiji’s desire to further strengthen the cordial relations that already exists between the people of Fiji and Brazil.
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No:1121
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