The President His Excellency Major-General (Ret'd) Jioji Konrote yesterday received the credentials for the new envoy from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Ambassador Ruben Rakin Zackhras.
The President congratulated the new Ambassador and expressed his desire for both countries to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral relations.
Fiji has been offering training to the RMI in the areas of diplomacy and protocol since 1992. Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding on development cooperation in 2011 enabling Fiji to deploy the first batch of overseas teachers under its volunteer scheme.
Ambassador Zackhras thanked the Fijian Government for the teachers and indicated that the RMI would like to engage more teachers in light of the successes in the academic results of students in the RMI. Seven Fijian teachers are currently serving in the RMI.
Both countries are working towards more cooperation in the areas of policing, medical and trade relations, the latter of which is conducted through the Pacific Islands Trade Agreement (PICTA).
Ambassador Zackhras has served the RMI as a Member of Parliament for 36 years and has held several key appointments including Minister for Transport and Communications, Minister for Justice, Minister for Health and Human Service, Vice Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Finance under two administrations, Assistant Minister to the President under two Presidents.
He was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Rothie Zackhras at the presentation of credentials at the State House yesterday. He was accorded a 25-men Guard of Honour by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Fiji's First Lady, Her Excellency Sarote Konrote was also present to receive the new envoy and his wife.