Fiji And NZ Strengthen Defence Relationship

Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua formalised a ‘Status of Force Agreement’ with New Zealand’s Minister for Defence Andrew Little yesterday.

The agreement outlined priorities for defence cooperation between the two nations including training for defence personnel, maritime security, and disaster and humanitarian response coordination.

The NZ minister is in Fiji to meet his counterpart.

Minister Little said as nations of the Pacific, there were a number of significant security challenges and among these was climate change.

“We know climate change will be one of the most significant challenges of our lifetime and the need to work together to mitigate its effects will only increase in the coming years,” Mr Little said.

“The agreement is a legal framework for the NZ Defence Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces for closer cooperation within each other’s territories,” he said.

The two ministers held bilateral talks at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.

“The agreement reflects the value New Zealand places on our relationship with Fiji and is important for our militaries to work together for effectively, including during our frequent exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster response cooperation.

“Today marks another milestone in our defence relationship and I look forward to seeing our connections deepen, as we continue to work in partnership in our region, stronger together.”

Minister Tikoduadua, while acknowledging the agreement, said Fiji and NZ Defence Force had always enjoyed people to people relationship and the military exchanges in the past.

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Story by: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj