The New Zealand Defence Force will work with the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces to tackle transnational crimes around the Pacific region.

During an exclusive interview with the Fiji Sun newspaper yesterday, New Zealand Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Tim Keating said they were looking at challenges like transnational crimes.

He said they needed to co-operate with the RFMF to tackle environmental threats because of change in climatic conditions and trafficking that happens in the Pacific.

He said they would work together to review building capacities to tackle these problems.

“We’ll look at how we can build our capacity together, to see if they are relevant for the future; it’s very much stock check on where we are now, building a good partnership with Fiji.

“One of the things we see in military leadership here is they are very careful in what they do compared to what they have always done in the past. Now we are looking at new challenges in the Pacific, looking at the challenges here and the resources we have,” Lieutenant-General Keating said.

RFMF chief of staff Colonel Litea Seruiratu said they had discussed ways in which they could best work together to strengthen their partnership.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj