Any sovereign nation has the right to choose who it intends to partner with.

This was a response made by the French Ambassador to Fiji, François-Xavier Léger when queried yesterday if the visit of the French naval ship, the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Dixmude was a sign of power and influence in Fiji to China.

“We are in an open world, any sovereign country can have partnership or corporation with partners we chose,” he said.

“As for France, we are following our own paths.”

He said they made proposals like any other partner nation does, which was one approach made by the western nation to small nations like Fiji.

“We proposed some corporation projects and I think it is welcomed by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fijian Government,” he said.

“Our purpose is not unrecognise China, but simply to propose to our partners some policy on typical operation, especially those that are priority for Fiji like climate change and natural disaster.”

Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj