PS Karan Receives Courtesy Call from Belgium’s New Ambassador to Fiji

Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan received a courtesy call from the Non-Resident Ambassador of Belgium to Fiji, His Excellency Michel Goffin, at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.

Mr Karan congratulated Ambassador Goffin on his new diplomatic role and reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to advance cooperation in mutual aspirations.

He acknowledged Belgium’s support to Fiji through the European Union (EU), in the disaster recovery initiatives which has positively assisted communities in times of need.

While commending the EU’s ambitious aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Mr Karan stressed the need for greater global partnership to accelerate urgency on actions for climate change and oceans conservation.

He expressed the Fijian Government’s appreciation for Belgium’s contribution to the COVAX facility, which has enabled developing countries like Fiji to access lifesaving vaccines and progressively it led to the reopening of Fiji’s international borders and enabling Fiji’s economic recovery.

While expressing concern for the crisis unfolding in Ukraine and the subsequent socioeconomic impacts, Mr Karan stated that Fiji stands in solidarity with the global communities and calls for peaceful dialogue and the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces and an end to the blatant violations of the international rule of law.

Furthermore, Fiji reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with its development partners like Belgium in advancing our shared priorities on climate change, oceans, trade and agriculture, peace and security, human rights and UN peacekeeping.

Mr Karan extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to Ambassador Goffin as he assumes his new role and also expressed confidence that during his tenure, the partnership between the two nations would reach greater levels.

In response, Ambassador Goffin commended Prime Minister Bainimarama for his exemplary leadership on climate change and oceans.

“Belgium will continue to support Fiji’s great efforts on climate change, we are part of the European Union (EU) and we provide climate financing. As members of the EU, Belgium is currently developing a new multi-year financial program, which will see provision for financial assistance on climate adaptation for Fiji and the Pacific. That will be a constant priority in our bilateral relations.”

Additionally, he said Belgium has been a producer of Pfizer vaccine and it contributed 4 million Euro to the Covax Facility.

Assuring Fiji’s economic recovery efforts of Belgium’s continued support, Ambassador Goffin praised Fiji for being one of the world’s highest vaccinated nations.

“During my tenure, I would like to have a concrete realisation of our cooperation, by promoting the Small and Medium companies from Belgium to invest in Fiji. We have Belgium Investment Organisation and a number of business companies have been identified for prospective investment opportunities in Fiji, mainly in promoting Fiji’s agriculture sector and initiatives in sustainable, green development.

“Belgium is a maritime country, we have one of the biggest ports in the world so, oceans conservation is a priority and we worked very closely with Fiji in London, in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and will continue to build on this partnership.”

Ambassador Goffin commended the Fijian Government’s unified position recently taken at the UN General Assembly resolution for Ukraine.

“It is really important to gather massive support of like-minded countries on the necessity to defend values of democracy. Belgium appreciates the Fijian Government’s impressive support in this case. It demonstrates Fiji’s commitment to peacekeeping, we are grateful for your support, we will continue to dialogue with other Pacific Island countries on the same.”