The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces yesterday welcomed the Commanding Officer for the French Armed Forces based in New Caledonia, Major- General, Philippe Leonard.

RFMF official, Captain Eroni Duaibe said the issues discussed was the full re-engagement between the military since 2006.

He said one of the major issues discussed was the Southern Cross ‘Croix du Sud’ that would be conducted in New Caledonia later this year where the Fijian Military personnel would be engaged.

“We were observers last year, but this year there is full participation from the RFMF from the Land Force component and also a naval component.

“We will be sending one of the Fiji Navy patrol boats and the infantry component we also putting in a platoon that will be part of the training.

“This has been an on-going exercise which is a multi-lateral co-operation between countries like Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom, Singapore and other countries that come in as observers,” Captain Duaibe said.

He said the RFMF was expected to put together a comprehensive instruction in terms of the deployment of our troops for the training.

Captain Duaibe said it was a high level visit for the French Armed Forces to Fiji.

“It uplifts our profile in terms our standing in the military across the globe,” Captain Duaibe said.

French Embassy public affairs advisor, Moira Vilsoni, said the meeting was successful and it was aimed to strengthen relationship between the two military.

Major-General Leonard is expected to live on Friday.

PM receives courtesy call

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday also received a courtesy call from Major- General, Leonard.

The Prime Minister thanked the group for their visit and welcomed them to Fiji.

In turn, Major-General Leonard expressed his pleasure of visiting Fiji and meeting his counterparts.

The French delegation included Commander Hubert Jannot, Major Paul Nobili, Charge d’Affaires, French Embassy Olivier Vaysset and Ms Vilisoni.

The visit is an opportunity for the two countries to meet and deepen co-operation

Edited by Maraia Vula

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj