Fiji and Australia reaffirm commitment to the Vuvale partnership

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka received an introductory telephone call today from the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Penny Wong. The Australian High Commissioner H.E Peter Roberts and Counselor Political at the Australian High Commission, Ms Skye Bale were also present during the joint meeting held at the Ministry headquarters in Suva.

Hon. Ditoka acknowledged Australia’s strong support to Fiji’s development, through implementation of initiatives that provide tangible benefits for the people of Fiji and thanked Hon. Penny Wong for Australia’s continued assistance in a number of development areas including labour mobility, health, education, disaster risk resilience, defence and security.

Hon. Ditoka reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthening the Vuvale Partnership with Australia and expressed confidence that both nations can work together towards a resilient Pacific architecture that addresses current and future challenges targeted at strengthening peace, stability and prosperity for the region.
In response, Minister Wong congratulated Hon. Ditoka on the assumption of his new role and provided a number of updates at the bilateral and regional level and expressed Australia’s commitment on strengthening ties with Fiji.

As part of his continued engagements this week, Hon. Ditoka will also meet with Head of Australia’s Office of the Pacific Ms Liz Peak to further the discussions on the Vuvale Partnership.