Minister For Foreign Affairs and External Trade Ditoka, Visits the Fiji Mission in Geneva

The Mission was pleased to receive and host the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Honourable Sakiasi Ditoka, on his visit to Geneva from 1-4 March.

Minister Ditoka arrived in London last week, as part of the Fiji Parliamentary Delegation collaboration with their UK Parliament counterparts. After the Parliament engagement, Hon. Ditoka visited Mission from Geneva from 1-4 March, before attending the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting (CLFMM) in London.

Whilst in Geneva, Minister took the opportunity to meet with Permanent Representative Tamata and his team including Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) Ms. Seruvatu, First Secretary Mr. Jiuta, and the locally engaged staff Ms. Ruci Sovatabua, and Mr. Ismael Maxamehd, who support the Mission.

The Mission briefed the Minister on its operations, and on key issues for consideration. Discussions ensued, on critical issues for Fiji in Europe, including multilateral agendas, mission accreditations, work with the Fiji Diaspora, and the re-opening of the Fiji mission in Brussels.

In the leadup to the 14th Session of the WTO Trade Ministers Ministerial Conference (MC14), Hon. Minister was briefed by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Mission to the WTO, Ambassador Mere Falemaka and Ms. Maxine Hunter.

The Mission also organised an informal Talanoa session with the Heads of Pacific missions based in Geneva. Discussions focused on the significance of the Pacific representation and voice across all multilateral platforms in Geneva. They re-emphasised the significance of multilateralism in this critical time.

Minister Ditoka was accompanied by Mr. Luke Ravuwai from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside the Fiji High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr. Jovilisi Suveinakama, and First Secretary at the Fiji High Commission in London, Ms. Paulini Cakacaka.

Being the only two (2) Fiji Missions in Europe, this was a good opportunity for the Fiji Missions in Geneva and London to discuss important issues of collaboration in order to strengthen Fijis footprint in Europe. Both Missions agreed, that the reopening of the Fiji Mission in Brussels, would enhance Fijis footprint, and help to address the needs of the growing Fijian Diaspora across Europe.

The Minister also briefly visited the Fiji House in Brussels, in anticipation of furthering the preparations for the re-opening of the Fiji Mission in Brussels.

The Mission is appreciative of this opportunity to meet and discuss with the Minister some key issues for consideration.

We look forward to continuing our effective engagements in Europe, and working with our counterparts in London to progress Fiji’s footprints in Europe.

Vinaka vakalevu Hon. Minister for the timely visit.