NZ Defence Minister Visits Fiji
This visit aligns with my Defence priorities of “Pacific”, by exploring how we can achieve greater defence coordination between Pacific partners, and “People”, through continuing cooperation with defence partners,” he said.
Monday 21 March 2022 | 10:14
New Zealand’s Minister of Defence Peeni Henare will arrive in Fiji today for bilateral visits.
He will meet with his counterparts here and Australia to reaffirm their commitment to regional security in the Pacific and discuss ways to strengthen defence cooperation with partners.
While in Fiji, Minister Henare is expected to meet with Minister of Defence Inia Seruiratu, in their first face-to-face meeting since COVID-19 restrictions began.
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“New Zealand’s defence relationship with Fiji is strong, and characterised by enduring person-to-person relationships built up over many years. I look forward to discussing with Minister Seruiratu ways to increase our level of defence cooperation, and how best to support Pacific partners to work together to provide solutions to the region’s challenges,” Mr Henare said.
During the visit Minister Henare would also attend a remembrance ceremony at the National War Memorial, and tour the recently commissioned Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp, and Fiji’s Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre.
From Fiji the Minister would travel to Australia and meet with Australian Minister of Defence, Peter Dutton.
He said this would be his first opportunity to travel.
This visit aligns with my Defence priorities of “Pacific”, by exploring how we can achieve greater defence coordination between Pacific partners, and “People”, through continuing cooperation with defence partners,” he said.
The Defence Minister will return to New Zealand on 26 March
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