Fiji has reiterated its desire to further strengthen bilateral relations in addition to the strong relations we currently enjoy with the European Union (EU).
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, in a bilateral meeting with his Portuguese counterpart Honourable Antonio Costa, said the two countries have more opportunities for possible cooperation in sectors such as tourism, sports, and education.
The two leaders met along the margins of the second United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji has much to offer as a premier outsourcing services (OS) destination, and we are looking to grow into a hub for outsourcing services.
Fiji and Portugal’s recent cooperation through the European Union to the COVAX facility, has enabled many Fijians to access COVID-19 vaccines.
Commenting on the important agenda of the Ocean Conference, Prime Minister Bainimarama revealed that Fiji is seeking meaningful outcomes in five priority areas which include addressing the role of the ocean in climate mitigation and adaptation, promoting the transition to sustainable shipping, and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and ending harmful subsidies, creating synergies and partnerships on national, regional and cross-sectoral levels, including with the private sector and promoting innovative financing opportunities to reinforce actions for sustainable development of the ocean.
He added that Fiji looks forward to Portugal’s support for international efforts about concluding work on the High Seas Treaty negotiations at the United Nations and the work on eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies as recently agreed by the World Trade Organisation, among other important initiatives.
In his response, Prime Minister Costa thanked Prime Minister Bainimarama for the opportunity to meet with him to discuss more areas of opportunity particularly on climate change and ocean conservation.
