New areas of assistance will emerge through the bilateral cooperation between France and Fiji.
This was highlighted by the French Ambassador to Fiji, Jean-François Fitou recently.
In the second batch of assistance to Fiji last month, the French Embassy handed over 200 family tents. The first batch of assistance included relief items and tents to assist families affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold.
Ambassador Fitou said the French Embassy is looking at enhancing its support to Fiji, particularly in recognition of the Fijian Government’s commendable work in containing COVID19. As a result the French Embassy is keen on having Fiji as a hub to coordinate all its humanitarian assistance in the Pacific Region.
“The next step is to preposition humanitarian assistance in Fiji itself for Fiji and also because Fiji is the hub for the Pacific so if another country in the Pacific is asking for some assistance after a cyclone, then things could start from Fiji,” Ambassador Fitou said.
Ambassador Fitou commended the Fijian Government, the health professionals at Ministry of Health and all health workers in Fiji for their remarkable work in safeguarding and protecting Fijian families and communities against COVID19. He said it is in appreciation of this great work, the French Embassy is determined to strengthen its assistance and support to Fiji in the coming months.
He said that talks are also in progress on the potential assistance the French Embassy is keen on providing to the Fiji Sugar Corporation.
“Sugarcane farming is one of the important pillars of the Fijian society and a foundation of livelihood for the communities here. In consideration of the current economic challenges faced due to COVID 19, the French Embassy is keen on assisting the Fiji Sugar Corporation by way of funding assistance that could make a positive difference in the lives of its workers. The French Embassy is studying ways to best assist the Fiji Sugar Corporation in these difficult times.
In efforts to unleash business opportunities, the French Embassy is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Fiji to organise a series of virtual business meetings.
“I am also working with business communities in France to organise virtual meetings with the Fijian business communities for potential partnership agreements,” Ambassador Fitou said. He added that France will continue to work with Fiji in terms of keeping the momentum and urgency of actions for climate change and oceans conservation.
“In support of Fiji’s innovative actions for protection of climate and oceans, the French Embassy plans to finance the construction of a traditional canoe, as a means to enhance climate advocacy and promote youth climate actions by drawing attention to the importance of oceans conservation, environment and biodiversity.”
Ambassador Fitou said that in line with the National France Day to be commemorated next month on 14th July, the French Embassy is planning to organise activities to support women market vendors particularly in consideration of the economic impacts faced worldwide.
Background Information on France and Fiji Relations:
Diplomatic relations between France and Fiji were established in 1970. The French first established their resident mission in Fiji in 1980 and the Fiji Mission in Brussels is accredited to France. Since then France and Fiji have engaged in Military and Technical cooperation. The collaboration between the two nations was recently enhanced when France reopened its visa service in Suva, to allow Fijian citizens to apply for a visa to France without having to travel overseas.
The launch of a Franco- Fijian Business Dialogue in May 2018 has served well as a platform for the Fijian and French business communities to discuss economic opportunities. Military cooperation between Fiji and France has been consolidated through regular visits from the French Navy Warships and Maritime Patrol Aircrafts with the participation of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in exercises conducted by the French Armed Forces in the Pacific.
The French Language Program also provides opportunities for students in Fiji to learn French language.