Fiji – Aotearoa New Zealand signs Duavata Partnership
29/03/2022
Cuba Commemorates 20 Years of Diplomatic Relations with the Pacific Islands
31/03/2022Published On: 31/03/2022
Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy call from the new non-resident Ambassador of Algeria to Fiji, His Excellency Merzak Belhimeur, at the Office of the Prime Minister, this morning (31/03/22).
Prime Minister Bainimarama, congratulated Ambassador Belhimeur on his new diplomatic role and reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to work closely with Algeria in enhancing the diplomatic relations, which were formally established in 2010.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the strategic priorities of the two nations in areas of climate change, sustainable development, and engagements at the multilateral level.
The potential economic cooperation in mutual priorities such as agriculture and food security, fisheries, forestry, and renewable energy, amongst others, was recognised.
The Prime Minister extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to Ambassador Belhimeur as he assumes his new role, with assurances that through Fiji and Algeria Missions in Canberra, relations would be elevated to greater levels.
In response, Ambassador Belhimeur expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Bainimarama for the opportunity to meet in person and discuss potential opportunities for increased cooperation between the two nations.
“Fiji and Algeria share friendly relations and there is great potential to strengthen partnership in common interests, mainly in tackling challenges like climate change and COVID-19 pandemic, and peace and security to mention a few.”
Ambassador Belhimeur has over 40 years of experience as a career diplomat and served at various regional and multilateral organisations at the United Nations and in Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
“I hope to bring my efforts to advance collaboration in our shared aspirations. Algeria is determined to work in solidarity with its international partners in building resilient and unified societies for the betterment of our global community,” he said.
The Ambassador also thanked the Fijian Government for the kind hospitality accorded to him during his visit to Fiji this week.
