The following is the text of a message of congratulations from the Honourable Prime Minister to the newly elected President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
H.E Emmanuel Macron,
President-elect of the French Republic
Paris
Dear Mr President,
On behalf of the Fijian Government and Fijian people, I have the honour to convey my warmest congratulations to you on your decisive victory in the French election.
Fiji and France share a long friendship and we are also close neighbours in the Pacific with the people of New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia. I very much look forward to working with you to advance our friendship and mutual interests in the Pacific and the world at large.
As you know, I have the honour to be the incoming President of COP23, the ongoing United Nations Nations negotiations on climate change. As President, I intend to continue to build on France's legacy through the Paris Agreement of 2015, which I have described as your nation's gift to the world.
I especially seek your assistance for Fiji’s presidency and your personal support to move this critical process forward. As I have said repeatedly, we must do everything possible to preserve the multilateral consensus contained in the Paris Agreement for decisive action to reduce carbon emissions and arrest the current rate of global warming. As you know, the rising seas, extreme weather events and effects on agriculture caused by global warming are already having a devastating effect not just in the Pacific but in all vulnerable parts of the world.
We especially look to France to continue its inspirational leadership on climate action under your leadership. To this end, I seek a meeting with you at the earliest opportunity to advance our common objectives.
With every best wish for your Presidency and the security and prosperity of the French people.
Yours sincerely,
J.V Bainimarama
Prime Minister