Fiji and Spain aspire to broaden Bilateral Engagements

Bilateral cooperation between Fiji and the Kingdom of Spain is envisaged to strengthen between the two countries. This follows a meeting held yesterday between the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Major General (Ret’d) Ioane Naivalurua and the new Non-resident Ambassador of the Kingdom Spain to Fiji, H.E Fernando Curcio Ruigomez.

Ambassador Ruigomez yesterday presented his credentials to His Excellency, the President of Fiji, Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote and also made a courtesy call to PS Naivalurua, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva.

PS Naivalurua congratulated Ambassador Ruigomez on his new appointment and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to exploring and collaborating in areas of common interests. He also acknowledged Spain’s support for Fiji’s global leadership in climate change negotiations and human rights advocacy.

In response, Ambassador Ruigomez said that he will work towards taking Fiji-Spain bilateral relations to greater heights.

Both parties have expressed interest for exchange of visits with an emphasis on people to people links and broadened engagements in development sectors such as education, employment, sports and peacekeeping.

Since the signing of formal diplomatic relations in 1976, Fiji and Spain have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations and in recent years, Spain’s development assistance in areas of climate change and renewable energy has supported Fiji’s sustainable development goals.

The Kingdom of Spain is one of the largest countries located in south-western Europe