The Minister of Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola will be meeting his Australian counterpart, Senator Marise Payne, today in Nadi.

“I am keen to meet Senator Payne especially after our visit to Australia in March this year to sign the agreement on the acquisition of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles which will not only support our peacekeepers but will also be used in humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation after natural disasters,” Ratu Inoke said.

He added that the visit by Senator Payne will be a special one as relationships continue to grow between Fiji and Australia in the areas of defence.

“This time maritime security and the establishment of a Regional Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) and Peacekeeping Centre at the Blackrock Camp in Nadi, is high on our agenda and I am optimistic our dialogue will result in a stronger partnership,” Ratu Inoke said.

Senator Payne and her team arrive this evening in Nadi and will be accorded a reception with bilateral discussions to follow tomorrow before she returns to Australia.

Part of the short programme will be to visit the Blackrock Camp.