Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy call from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Honourable Richard Marles MP, at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva, this afternoon (21/10/22).
Prime Minister Bainimarama welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister on his first visit to Fiji and said the visit signifies the enduring partnership and strong friendship between the two nations.
He said the Vuvale Partnership has contributed tremendously to Fiji’s recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic and Fiji is grateful to Australia for all its assistance.
On the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, the Prime Minister said Fiji looks forward to Australia’s support to further increase employment opportunities in this important area of cooperation which benefits many Fijian workers and families in the Pacific.
He commended Australia’s commitment to tackle climate change and said the two nations will continue to build the momentum in the lead up to the global climate conference, COP27 which will be held in Egypt next month.
On Defence and Security cooperation, the Prime Minister said the Blackrock Camp is a landmark achievement of the Fiji-Australia joint security efforts and it will now operate as a Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Centre- contributing immensely to regional humanitarian disaster responses in years to come.
He said the Pacific is not immune to the impact of the crisis unfolding in Ukraine and the escalation of the human and economic costs, adding that Fiji stands in solidarity with Australia and other like-minded nations in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
Speaking on Regional updates, the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum extended his heartfelt thanks to Australia for supporting regional unity and the solidarity of the Blue Pacific Family.
He said the implementation plan for the 2050 Strategy of a Blue Pacific Continent is being developed and partnerships will be crucial to accomplishing the mandates of the 2050 Strategy.
The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that the Vuvale Partnership will continue to elevate Fiji-Australia relations to greater heights.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Honourable Richard Marles MP said, “As neighbours and friends, Australia’s relationship with Fiji is of utmost importance.
“Our two nations are destined to be close and I feel that we are as closer today than we have ever been.”
“We share an interest in a peaceful, secure and resilient Pacific, and are committed to working together to respond to common security challenges.”
While visiting the Blackrock peacekeeping camp in Nadi yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister for Australia, Richard Marles and Fijian Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Inia Seruiratu signed the “A Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA),” which reflects the increased cooperation between our forces to address traditional and non-traditional security threats including climate change, humanitarian crises and disasters.