The new Blackrock camp is expected to grow defence relationships as well as personal relations.

This was assured by the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Defence, National Security and Policing during the opening of the state-of-the-art Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp on Monday.

Minister Inia Seruiratu said the co-operation and relationship between Australia and Fiji has benefited the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) immensely.

“The centre will also serve and ensure that we will prepare our soldiers to international standards and the level of professionalism that is required by international peacekeeping missions,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“We see a very bright future for our men and women through the state-of-the-art centre and we thank the Australian Government for the opportunity in providing this platform.

“The project is not only about solidifying our defence partnership and relationship, but rather celebrates the growing personal relationship behind the vuvale partnership.

“The handing over has been completed and of course Fiji has the responsibility and this is not only about Fiji, this is for the region and we hope that the regional partners and all the key stakeholders will play a role as well in looking after this facility for the benefit for the people of the region.”

The Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Zed Seselja said “we are together in the Solomons, we are together in Tonga and we are together in the region”.

nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj