Fiji and France have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations in the area of agriculture following talks held this morning between the agriculture ministers of both countries.
Fijian Minister for Agriculture Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy held talks this morning with his French counterpart Didier Guillaume to identify ways for both Fiji and France to explore further cooperation in the agriculture and environment sector.
During their talks, Minister Reddy said the Fiji-France relations was a solid one based on years of historical cooperation. He added that Fiji saw in France, an ally in raising awareness on the impact of climate change in small islands states and in the agriculture sector in these same states . He highlighted that as a result, food security is affected. He said that in turn, smaller states end up struggling to meet high food import bills to meet demands which places a strain on smaller economies.
“We commend France and especially your President, for your leadership in this area. France has been a leader in this struggle and we want to thank you for your own vision”, Minister Reddy said.
Minister Reddy said that Fiji is keen to learn from France’s own experience in the agriculture sector.
In his remarks, the French Agriculture Minister welcomed Fiji’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations in the agriculture sector adding that France saw Fiji as a vital partner in the Pacific region. At the same time, he also commended Fiji’s leadership in the area of agriculture development and climate and environment awareness. He particularly commended Fiji’s presidency of COP23, the largest ongoing UN negotiations on climate change. He thanked Fiji for putting the issue of agriculture on the agenda of climate negotiations adding that it was important given its impacts on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Minster Reddy is in France attending the G7 Environment Ministers meeting also thanked the Agriculture Minister for the invitation extended to Fiji to attend the meeting as the only small island developing state from a non G7 nation.