PM Rabuka calls for continued cooperation

In a meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State Lisa Kenna in Washington this afternoon, Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka emphasised the need for ongoing dialogue, noting potential implications of recent U.S. executive orders on Fiji and the Pacific region.
As the first Pacific Island leader to visit the U.S. after the Trump Administration took office, PM Rabuka acknowledges the steps taken by the U.S. to strengthen its engagements in the region.
With the Bilateral Framework for Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement and the establishment of the USAID regional office in Suva, Hon. Rabuka hopes that the 90-day freeze by the Trump Administration will not hamper plans to advance the USAID programs in the region.
Fiji and the U.S. have partnered in key areas such as trade and investment, with the most recent being security cooperation.
The PM explained that Fiji has benefitted from many programs and joint collaborations such as the signing of the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement between the U.S. Department of Defence and Fiji’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Other initiatives include the International Military Education and Training, and the 2018 Ship Rider Agreement that enables the protection of our marine resources and the collaboration under the International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs.
The PM also talked about Fiji’s tourism and agriculture sector, expressing the nation’s eagerness to continue to explore opportunities and strengthen our trade relations further.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka said Fiji looks forward to working with the U.S. in ensuring that our relations continue to grow from strength to strength.
Despite the difference in size, Hon. Rabuka asserted that our common stand for freedom, justice and the rule of law, will mobilise like-minded nations to coalesce and cooperate.
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