Oceania

Prime Minister of Fiji holds talks with Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama met the Marise Payne, the Australian Foreign Minister during the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

February 28th, 2019
Eleanor Banks, News from Berlin
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The Prime Minister and Australian Foreign Minister described the visit to Fiji by the Australian Prime Minister and evaluated the promises made so far by Australia and Fiji towards the joint results made at the finish of this visit. These outcomes included progress towards effects in the areas of security, trade and investment, peacekeeping, health, education, people to people exchanges and labour mobility.

Australia was also thanked by Prime Minister Bainimarama for its support to Fiji at the Human Rights Council.

The Prime Minister added that Fiji was honored to be elected a member and now Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council and declared that Fiji would be a strong supporter of the Small Island Development State issues and would strongly advocate Council initiatives on topics such as climate change, the environment and internally displaced persons.

The Prime Minister is currently in Geneva to attend the 40th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Relations between Fiji and Australia were strained due to Australia’s condemnation of the military coup which overthrew the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in December 2006. Military leader and interim Prime Minister Bainimarama then accused Australia of bullying Fiji by applying sanctions and insisting on a swift return to a democratic government.

However, this meeting could show an improvement in diplomatic relations between the two countries and lead to cooperation in certain areas of importance.

References:

News from Berlin