The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji has congratulated Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on the robustness of the Fijian economy and on the finalisation of the National Development Plan – a landmark document which points to a bright future for Fiji and Fijians.

John Feakes highlighted this during his introductory meeting with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the PM’s Office at the New wing Government Buildings in Suva on Monday.

Mr Feakes also congratulated the Prime Minister on Fiji’s successful chairing of Conference of the Parties (COP) 23 which highlighted Fiji’s international advocacy on this important issue and its role in ensuring the Pacific’s voice is clearly heard.

He acknowledged Fiji’s outstanding record as a major contributor to international peacekeeping missions in some of the most complex and dangerous environments.

He also paid tribute to the bravery and professionalism of those in RFMF who serve in these missions.

“I hope that the Australian Bushmaster vehicles that Australia has provided the RFMF would contribute to the safety of these missions,” he said.

“With Cyclone Gita then bearing down on the Lau Group of islands, I have committed Australia to provide whatever assistance was required,” Mr Feakes said.

The Prime Minister and Mr Feakes also spoke at some length about rugby.

Both agreed that the recent Fiji Airways Fijian 7s victory at the Hamilton 7s tournament would hopefully set the Fijian team up for further success, including at the Commonwealth Games in April in Queensland and at the World Cup in San Francisco.

Edited by Percy Kean

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