Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Sir Nicholas Houghton at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in London.

Discussions focused on how best Fiji and the UK could strengthen current defence co-operation initiatives including capacity development opportunities for the RFMF.

It was also an opportunity for the Commander to inform the Chief of Defence Staff of the progress regarding Fiji’s rehabilitation efforts post Cyclone Winston and the assistance received from other development partners.

The courtesy call to the Chief of Defence Staff was the first official visit by Rear Admiral Naupoto in his capacity as the Commander of RFMF.

The Commander was accompanied by Fijian High Commissioner to the UK Jitoko Tikolevu.

The British High Commissioner to Fiji Roderick Drummond was also there at Whitehall to greet the delegation.

Sir Nicholas Houghton as the CDS is the professional head of the British Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister.

The Chief of the Defence Staff is based at the Ministry of Defence and works alongside the Permanent Under Secretary, the Ministry’s senior civil servant.

Commander Naupoto will also be in London for the Queen’s Birthday pageant which includes the performance of the 45 -member RFMF band that had arrived in London last week.

The Commander Naupoto also checked on the RFMF band who were all well.

Source : RFMF Media Cell

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