U.S reaffirms ties with ‘concrete examples’ of Pacific support

The United States of America (U.S) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen its Pacific partnerships, after an earlier report suggested otherwise.

The U.S is a Pacific nation, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Suva said.

“Any suggestion to the contrary ignores the facts about current and future U.S. programmes in the region,” the spokesman said.

“The United States works closely with Fiji and other Pacific partners to promote peace, prosperity, security, and strong people-to-people ties.

“This work covers a wide range of themes, including defense, economic and business cooperation, health, fisheries, security, education, and others.”

As an example of its continued commitment to the Pacific, the U.S. Embassy recounted a recent announcement of the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, as an expansion of eligibility for high-value development projects in Fiji and Tonga.

It also pointed out ongoing projects in Kiribati and Solomon Islands, and a completed programme in Vanuatu.

“The Millennium Challenge Corporation announcements for Fiji and Tonga were the first of this administration, proving that the United States remains deeply invested in the Pacific,” the U.S. Embassy said.

The ‘Fiji Sun’ covered Ambassador Damore’s remarks on this subject in an article on December 10.

“The United States continues to work with Fiji, Tonga, and other Pacific Island military and security forces alongside our like-minded partners to enhance human security, maritime security, and cybersecurity through interagency efforts in counter-narcotics, counter-illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and improving humanitarian assistance and response capabilities,” the spokesman said.

The United States is delivering small boats to help Fiji Navy patrol its maritime borders, which was highlighted earlier this week, in a handover ceremony that marked the first of such endeavors.

“The U.S. Pacific Fleet-led Pacific Partnership Exercises, as well as U.S. Army Pacific-led Exercise Cartwheel, are recent concrete examples of maritime and land forces working to improve Fiji’s capacity to respond to disasters, improve schools and hospitals, and elevate defense capabilities,” the U.S. spokesperson said.