Cooperation between Fiji and the United States in areas of Defence and National Security is envisaged to accelerate in strategic and innovative partnership. This has been established through a meeting recently held between the Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Hon Inia Seruiratu and General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, US Department of Defence.
During his first official visit to Fiji, General Lengyel paid a courtesy call on Minister Seruiratu at the Ministry of Defence and National Security Office in Suva on Friday last week. General Lengyel was accompanied by Brigadier General Ondra L. Berry, Adjutant General, for the State of Nevada and also in attendance at the meeting was the US Ambassador to Fiji, Mr Joseph James Cella.
General Lengyel’s visit to Fiji aims to strengthen the cooperation for the National Guard’s most important efforts, the State Partnership Program, which is a dynamic joint cooperation program managed by National Guard Bureau in promoting long-term, enduring and mutually beneficial security relationships with friendly and allied nations around the globe.
General Lengyel reiterated that the United States is committed to its longstanding partnership with Fiji and there is huge potential to elevate the US-Fiji cooperation. He said his visit to Fiji is in recognition of Fiji’s exemplary leadership at regional and international stages towards advancing global peace and prosperity.
The National Guard Bureau Chief also commended Fiji’s unprecedented accomplishment and its unwavering commitment to global peacekeeping which has earned Fiji the respect and admiration worldwide. General Lengyel reaffirmed that the National Guard Bureau is committed to cohesively work with Fiji in its aspirations on unified peace and security goals.
In response, Minister Seruiratu acknowledged the Government of United States of America for its partnership towards defence efforts, capacity and capabilities. He said that this cooperation has unfolded remarkable opportunities for Fiji in recent years and that the Fijian Government looks forward to having more robust collaborations with the United States.
“Let me assure you General that the Fijian government is committed and we will ensure that we improve on our defence and national security arrangements and contribute towards the wider regional and global issues as well.
“Through the assistance of the Australian Government, Fiji has embarked on the development of the first ever Blackrock facility which is anticipated to operationalize later this year. We would like to have this facility developed into an international centre for peacekeeping and even disaster responses and recovery. For that, we will be working together with all our international and regional partners to be able to enhance our contributions to greater global peacekeeping,” Minister Seruiratu elaborated.
The challenges associated with Fiji’s climate change crisis and its work towards climate adaptation and mitigation were part of the discussions with the US delegation.
OVERVIEW OF FIJI AND US COOPERATION IN AREAS OF DEFENCE AND SECURITY
- The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program which is beneficial to the capacity building opportunities for senior military personnels and Fijian soldiers into professional military and leadership development courses in the United States.
- State Partnership Program and Nevada National Guard Partnership program which generates opportunities in engineer EOD capabilities, RFMF has sent some of their officers for the Military Police exchanges.
- Fiji’s Ministry of Defence representatives from National Integrated Coordination Centre (NICC) attended a series of trainings in US. A civil support exchange opportunity next month will be available for NICC.
- Signing of the Shiprider Agreement last year has resulted into greater support by US Navy in assisting Fiji towards its ongoing efforts to secure borders.