The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola yesterday commended the outgoing Australian acting Head of Mission, Glenn Miles for his efforts in restoring relations between Australia and Fiji during his term here.

Ratu Inoke made the remark during a farewell lunch for Mr Miles at Borron House in Suva yesterday.

Ratu Inoke thanked Mr Miles for his work of professionalism and courtesy while working here.

“We thank you for the way that you held yourself during these difficult times between Australia and Fiji. I think the highlight for your tenure here was the normalisation of relations between Australia and Fiji and as we saw the recent visit of Minister Bishop was a very successful visit. Everything is now back on the table and all the sanctions have been lifted. I thank you personally for your professionalism and efforts in being able to move Canberra near to Suva,” Ratu Inoke said.

He also wished him well on his next posting to Beirut in Lebanon.

Mr Miles said despite the political differences between Australia and Fiji, no one ever gave him a hard time.

“The whole time I have been here, everyone has been incredibly friendly and every country that I have served in has been important to Australia and one also is Fiji,” Mr Miles said.

“Re-engagement has been one of the key policy drivers for us at the High Commission in trying to rebuild relationships for the last three years. As I said previously that despite the political differences that came out in the media, we have always felt welcomed and we have always felt supported during our time here and we appreciate that.”

Government ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corp were present at the farewell yesterday.

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