For the past few years by joint efforts Russia and Fiji have achieved substantial progress in terms of strengthening and broadening co-operation between our two countries based on long historic ties, friendship, mutual respect, understanding and strong solidarity.

The conclusive results of a great teamwork that has been done and constructive political dialogue that we have give us much hope.

Building on the success of the high-level visits (such as the official visit of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to Russia in June 2013 as well as the exchange of working visits by the Foreign Ministers of our countries, Sergey Lavrov and Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in February 2012 and in June 2014 respectively) we continue to intensify efforts to created framework for effective practical co-operation.

Last year, in accordance with the agreement reached between Sergey Lavrov and Ratu Inoke, we launched a mechanism of regular consultations between the foreign ministries of our countries.

We conducted the first consultations on the Deputy Foreign Ministers level on the current bilateral agenda, regional and international issues in February 2015 in Suva.

We managed to reinforce the legal basis of our interaction.

To date, five important documents, including inter-governmental agreements on mutual abolition of visa requirements and on military-technical co-operation, interagency memorandums on efforts to combat legalisation of proceeds from crime and financing of terrorism, and on interaction in the fields of healthcare and higher education, have been signed.

There are more on the agenda (e.g. in the fields of sport, elections, security issues and satellite navigation).

Specific projects are planned and being implemented in the areas of trade, investment, humanitarian co-operation (education, training of personnel).

For example, we work on the project of exporting tuna from Fiji to Russia.

There are plans to send Russian language teachers to the Fiji National University.

We have also invited the Fijian diplomats to attend special courses at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in March-April 2016 (last year the first course for the diplomats from the South Pacific Island States was successfully conducted).

Russia and Fiji are working constructively together on the international arena pursuing the common goal – to build just and secure world.

Similar democratic system

Our countries hold similar views with regard to the establishment of the democratic global system based on the international law and such principles as indivisibility of security in the modern world, equal rights, mutual respect and beneficial co-operation.

We share common commitment to further interaction in the UN, including coordination of approaches while preparing resolutions of the UN General Assembly.  Great importance is attached to the co-operation in the sphere of security.

The Commissioner of Police of the Fiji Police Force and Minister of Defense regularly attend the International Meetings of High Representatives on Security Issues held in Russia.

One of the most significant and successful bilateral projects is the implementation of the agreement between the Prime Ministers of our countries (June 2013, Moscow) on the non-repayable supply of the Russian military equipment for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel serving in the UN peacekeeping missions.

Following the delivery of the military equipment to Suva (in January) the official hand-over of the consignment took place yesterday, with the participation of the official high level representatives from the Ministry of Defence of Russia and the leadership of Fiji.

We hope that it would contribute to the excellent performance of the peacekeeping duties by the Fijian Military and become the start of a long-term co-operation in the military and technical sphere between our countries.

Russia considers Fiji as a leading partner in the South Pacific which is an important dimension of the Russian foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific.

The Government of the Russian Federation highly appreciates significant contribution of the Government of the Republic of Fiji to the development of a multilateral mechanism “Russia – Developing South Pacific Island States” aimed at enhancement of constructive transparent dialogue on a wide range of issues to ensure security, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Since September 2011 by joint efforts we have successfully conducted already six ministerial meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Participation

The participation of the Russian high-level representatives in the summits of the Pacific Islands Development Forum in 2013-2015 at the invitation of the Fijian Government is another illustration of our commitment to the open dialogue with the island states and deepening regional integration processes.

Looking back at the development of the Russian-Fijian relations for the past years, we are proud of the progress achieved and look forward to advancing our mutually beneficial partnership in various spheres which has encouraging prospects ahead.

It is in the long-term interests of our people and is an effective factor of strengthening peace and security in the South Pacific region.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj