Our Unity is our Dignity and Strength: PM Rabuka
28/08/2024
Fiji continues to benefit from cooperation with Australia and the Pacific
28/08/2024Published On: 28/08/2024
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Hon. Jeremiah Manele at the margins of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Tonga.
The meeting between the two leaders served an opportunity to reaffirm relations and discuss prospects for future cooperation.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka congratulated Prime Minister Manele for the assumption of his office following the elections earlier this year.
He reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to work closely with his fellow Pacific leaders in collaboratively addressing shared challenges and explore opportunities that would benefit both the nations and the broader Pacific community.
Prime Minister Rabuka said Fiji looks forward to undertake the chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) which will include hosting the MSG Leaders in Fiji this November.
Notably, Fiji joined MSG in 1996 under the leadership of Prime Minister Rabuka.
The meeting also highlighted the positive contributions of the Fijian contingent in Solomon Islands from the first rotation in 2022 to the latest deployment.
The ongoing consultations between the two countries regarding a proposed agreement to enhance the future deployment of Fiji security personnels to Solomon Islands, was also among the key issues discussed at the meeting today.
The meeting also outlined prospects for potential cooperation in areas such as air connectivity, justice, and legal affairs.
Prime Minister Manele said Solomon Island looks forward to establishing their Chancery in Fiji and thanked Fiji for its support for this initiative.
As members Melanesian Spearhead Group [MSG], both the countries pledged their commitment to regional solidarity and prosperity.
On this note, Prime Minister Manele commended Prime Minister Rabuka for his vision on the Oceans of Peace Concept and his leadership on building a resilient and sustainable region.
The two leaders also had the opportunity to exchange their views on working collaboratively to navigate through the pertaining global and regional issues such as geopolitics, wars and conflicts.
