Fiji – Australia aim to strengthen economic and trade cooperation
30/08/2024
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02/09/2024Published On: 30/08/2024
The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua today held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Hon. Chung Byung-won, during his official visit to Fiji. The meeting convened at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs was an opportunity to review the current areas of cooperation and explore prospects for future collaboration.
In her remarks, Hon. Qereqeretabua welcomed Mr. Chung back to Fiji, as he had previously served as a diplomat at the Korean Embassy in Suva, and also acknowledged the significant contributions made by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in implementing socio-economic development programmes in Fiji over the years.
Hon. Qereqeretabua noted with enthusiasm Korea’s commitment to further enhance support based on Fiji’s development priorities notably in health care, renewable energy, fisheries and maritime, climate resilience and initiatives aimed at improving livelihood of communities in Fiji.
Further, Hon. Qereqeretabua said Fiji looks forward for Korea’s support in the establishment of the Centre for Cooperation on Fisheries and Oceans, pertaining to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2023 between Fiji and Korea. The Centre is anticipated to further enhance the collaborations between the two countries in the fisheries sector.
Additionally, Hon. Qereqeretabua spoke on the importance of the Ocean of Peace Concept led by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka.
In closing, she thanked Korea for the elevated collaboration with Fiji in recognition of our status as the hub of the region and support for the broader Pacific region and collective vision on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
In a reciprocal response, Mr Chung said that Fiji as the status hub of the region is an important development partner, and that Korea is committed to strengthen relations in areas such as trade and investment, tourism, defence and security, climate change, health, renewable energy, amongst others.
On the same note, he extended an invitation to the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka for an official visit to the Republic of Korea. He said Korea looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Rabuka for the next Korea-Pacific Islands Summit anticipated to be convened next year.
Mr Chung conveyed his appreciation and support for the Ocean of Peace Concept led by the Prime Minister Rabuka and stated that Korea looks forward to collaborate with Fiji on the shared values of peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.
He mentioned Korea aims to increase the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Fiji and the broader Pacific region and support initiatives through the Republic of Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in building sustainable and resilient societies in the Pacific and beyond.
Mr Chung was pleased to visit the Fiji National Rehabilitation Centre (FNRC) in Tamavua, a project which is a significant contribution of the Government of the Republic of Korea towards Fiji’s health sector through a grant of FJD $22.2 Million.
He said this project is among the key initiatives supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea to contribute towards the livelihood and wellbeing of the communities in Fiji, and further requested for Fiji to consider reopening its Embassy in Korea as the relations continues to grow to new levels.
The meeting also outlined prospects for cooperation in maritime and military capacity building initiatives, and other vital areas through close collaboration and consultation with the Government of Fiji.
Notably, Mr Chung’s visit demonstrates the Republic of Korea’s unwavering commitment to further elevate cooperation levels with Fiji both on bilateral and multilateral issues. Mr Chung recalled with fondness his time in Fiji and looked forward to revisiting places he remembered in Suva.
