Dr. Taga Receives Courtesy Call From Israeli Ambassador

The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Dr. Raijeli Taga, today received a courtesy call from the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Fiji, Her Excellency Maya Yaron at the Ministry headquarters.

Dr. Taga acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Fiji and Israel since 1970 and welcomed the historic opening of the Embassy of Israel in Suva on 2 June 2026 as an important milestone.

The meeting builds on the momentum of the visit of Israel’s Foreign Minister, His Excellency Gideon Sa’ar, to Fiji in June. Dr. Taga looked forward to a planned visit later this year by the Head of MASHAV, Her Excellency Ambassador Eynat Shlein, to further progress cooperation between the two countries.

Dr. Taga highlighted Israel’s contribution to Fiji’s agriculture sector through the RNITCAA–NATI partnership and welcomed the increase in Fiji’s annual intern quota from 14 to 150, commencing the 2026–2027 cycle.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in water security and climate resilience and reaffirmed the value of the Memorandum of Understanding on digital security and cybersecurity signed with Israel’s National Cyber Directorate in October 2025.

Dr. Taga welcomed continued cooperation in diplomatic training under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June, and highlighted Fiji’s longstanding contribution to international peacekeeping through its service in the Golan Heights, Lebanon and the Sinai.

With the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting taking place in the Republic of Palau next week, Dr. Taga reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to regional solidarity and welcomed Israel’s growing interest in the Pacific. She thanked Ambassador Yaron for the discussion and Israel’s continued engagement with Fiji.

In response, Ambassador Yaron highlighted that the opening of the Israeli Embassy in Suva marked a new and more active chapter in the Fiji-Israel relationship, built on the friendship between the two countries since 1970. She reaffirmed the increase in Fiji’s annual agriculture intern quota and underscored that Israel deeply values Fiji’s contribution to international peacekeeping. Ambassador Yaron also thanked Dr. Taga for Fiji’s support as Israel’s aspiration to become a Development Partner of the Pacific Islands Forum is considered.