Fiji and Vanuatu reaffirm strong bilateral ties in high-level talanoa

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka today held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Honourable Jotham Napat, reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to strengthening relations with Vanuatu and advancing regional cooperation through the Pacific Way.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Napat for availing his time for the meeting, highlighting the importance of talanoa and high-level dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and unity among Pacific Island nations.

Prime Minister Rabuka stated that Fiji and Vanuatu share an enduring relationship rooted in historical kinship, shared responsibilities, and strong cooperation in multilateral fora.

“These engagements strengthen our collective voice and reinforce our commitment to Pacific solidarity,” he said.

Both leaders acknowledged the strong people-to-people ties between Fiji and Vanuatu, reinforced by cultural bonds and a shared Pacific identity.
Fiji also acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Fijian diaspora to Vanuatu’s economy and welcomed the soft launch of Vanuatu’s new diplomatic premises in Muanikau, Nasese, as a symbol of renewed commitment to bilateral relations.

In return, Vanuatu has allocated land for Fiji in Port Vila. The formalisation of this agreement was facilitated by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Filimone Vosarogo, and his counterpart from Vanuatu.

Prime Minister Rabuka also acknowledged Vanuatu’s leadership as the immediate former chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and emphasized the importance of strong leadership within the MSG Secretariat. He further encouraged Vanuatu’s support for Fiji’s Ocean of Peace Declaration, to be presented at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara.
In response, Prime Minister Napat commended Fiji’s unwavering commitment to regional unity and expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Fijian Government.

He said the Vanuatu Government looked forward to deepening its cooperation with Fiji in areas such as climate resilience, trade, education, and regional security. Prime Minister Napat also reaffirmed Vanuatu’s support for Fiji’s regional initiatives and pledged continued collaboration through the MSG and the Pacific Islands Forum.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Napat for the fruitful discussions and reaffirmed Fiji’s unwavering commitment to enhancing relations with Vanuatu for the benefit of both nations and the broader Pacific family.