Prime Minister’s Ministerial Statement On His Recent Visit To The United Kingdom-(21-05-2024)

Salutations

Honorable Deputy Prime Ministers,
Honorable Ministers and Assistant Ministers,
Honorable Leader of Opposition,
Honorable Members of Parliament, and
Ladies & Gentlemen

Ni sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all.

I also greet our citizens watching the proceedings in this August house via television or livestream, or listening via radio or the walesi app.

Honourable Speaker Sir, it is with delight that I take this opportunity to say a few words on my recent visit to the United Kingdom.

In late 2023, I received an invitation from His Majesty’s Government to visit the United Kingdom in the first half of 2024. Following formal communications on both sides, this was confirmed last month with details and dates of the audience with His
Majesty.

I accepted the invitation with great humility knowing that this was an invitation for Fiji.

The relationship with the United Kingdom, Mr Speaker, is deeply entwined in our modern history, as well as our laws, conventions and institutions; a history that we share in part.

It is a history that teaches us numerous lessons in government, leadership and life that embodies the balance between tradition and modernity, transitioning from one generation to the next amidst the complexities around the changing environment.

The visit commenced, as it should, with an audience with His Majesty, King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace on May 7 th .

True to the respectability of the Monarch, the reception was warm and dignified.

His Majesty’s overtures spoke to the deep historical relationship the Crown has with the High Chiefs of Fiji that had its genesis in 1874. These were profound words that emanate from a deep and treasured place within the Crown’s reservoir of goodwill for nations under its realm, despite our misdemeanors as a relatively young and small developing state.

I took the opportunity, Mr Speaker, to present my apologies to His Majesty for my actions in 1987, and the consequent exclusion of Fiji from the Commonwealth and the Monarch as Sovereign and Head of State.

The conversation revisited an earlier meeting (and first apologies) on this subject that I had with Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

In noble magnanimity, His Majesty’s acceptance was truly humbling.

Being a guest of His Majesty at a Garden Party at Buckingham Grounds was a pleasant addition to the already extraordinary generosity of the British Monarch.

Honorable Speaker Sir, my delegation also met with the Rt Honourable Lord Benyon, Minister of State for Climate, Environment and Energy focused on our collective efforts to arrest the downward spiral of the climate crisis and sparing no effort in doing all that we should on the climate, environment, and human security fronts.

The meeting with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, focused on the role of the House, on national governance, and systems to ensure law making and the voice of the people are heard unhindered and sustained.

Sir, therein lies a fundamental principle and demonstration of what democracy is all about. The eagerness with which the Office of the Speaker offered its support for Fiji’s Parliament in particular, and democracy, as a whole, is truly heartening.

Day 3 started with a call, at Whitehall, on the Secretary of Defence, The Rt Honourable Grant Shapps. Defence cooperation with external armed forces are being reviewed and guided by the recent UK Integrated Review Refresh 2023.

As a result of the Review, the British Government recognized the need to forge stronger bonds in the Indo-Pacific region
among other growing important focus and regions.  The fact that the Secretary of Defence had served in the Royal Green Jackets, the parent Regiment to which the RFMF was originally affiliated, added to further openness and cordial exchanges.

There are prospects for increasing cooperation on this front and which the Government would like to take up.

The meeting with the Secretary of Defence was followed up on Day 4 with a visit to the military training camp at Aldershot in
Hampshire.

Aldershot is known as the home of the British Army which currently has 2000 active personnel from Fiji.

On arrival at Aldershot, we were met and received a traditional ceremony of welcome from our countrymen serving in that Regiment. Aldershot is also where the British Armed Forces is training and preparing Ukrainian soldiers for active duty in the defence of their country from an illegal invasion.

It was a moment of pride for me to see our very own Fijian countrymen who are trainers in the joint warfare facility.

Seeing civilian Ukrainian women participating as interpreters on the training lines was a reminder that this is their fight for survival as a country, and as a people. Every Ukrainian national is making a contribution in whatever way they can.

This was followed by a call on the Secretary- General of the Commonwealth, the Rt Honourable Patricia Scotland at the historic
Marlborough House. Marlborough House coincidentally Sir, hosted Fiji’s constitutional conference and negotiations prior to independence fifty-four (54) years ago. The meeting focused on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held later this year in Samoa.

We also discussed the mandate and activities of the Commonwealth Secretariat in assisting Member States on a whole range of programs as they require and needed.

The Commonwealth currently has three programmes running in Fiji. The Commonwealth needs our imagination,
our creativity and cooperation. For a small team at the Secretariat there is a lot they are shouldering on our behalf.

The next stop for my delegation Sir was a visit to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco.

We heard of IMO’s efforts in transitioning the shipping and maritime sector to be climate resilient while remaining commercially efficient and profitable in the emerging operating environment.

As maritime states, this is of utmost importance to Fiji as we endeavour to rebuild our ports, shipbuilding, slipway and
maintenance capabilities, not only for our own sake, but also for our region.

Being accorded a briefing at the MI6, Headquarter of the British Intelligence Service, provided deeper understanding of situations
and the scenarios the British Government and her allies are confronted with and which they
are trying to manage.  The MI6 Briefing was an opportunity to share common experiences and insights.

These can only be referred to as:

(i) investments in our common goals for

accountable government,

(ii) protection of the dignity of humankind

and

(iii) our shared responsibility in ensuring that
evil has no place in our midst, while

(iv) decency, peace and security are promoted and sustained.

The sharing of my concept for the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace” found fertile ground. On Day 5 was the meeting at Whitehall with
the Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Lord Cameron (the former Prime Minister David Cameron).

The meeting acknowledged the deep historical relations between our two countries. We looked into opportunities for furthering the relationship and our joint responsibilities as members of the Commonwealth in ensuring we remain strong and relevant.

There was focus on common challenges that we face from:

 the rise in autocracy,
 growing disregard for the international
rules-based order,
 vulnerability of the global supply chain,
 the increase in transnational organized
crime,

 illicit trafficking in people, drugs and
goods,
 the place of development assistance,
 need to be guided by the will of the
people, among others.

There is recognition that the international environment is complex and perhaps, heading in the wrong direction if we allow it.

The openness and willingness of the British Government to come to our assistance as needed, was reassuring. As with other development partners, we will do our part first before we reach out to our friends where help is needed.

Clearly Mr. Speaker Sir, there is much work ahead emanating from this visit.

At the official level, there was also a meeting with officials of the British Department of Trade, where the focus was on trade relations particularly the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Fiji’s products and British
market requirements and processes.

A follow up meeting is on the horizon and there is an opportunity to dovetail this with the CHOGM.

Honorable Speaker, there are over 20,000 Fijian nationals living in the United Kingdom. Of that 20,000, over 2,000 serve as service personnel in the British Armed Forces.

It was a real blessing to have met many of them in the five meetings that we had with different diaspora groups at different localities where they were able to get together as groups.

They have issues that require our support, and which is also our duty to do so.

On our way back to Fiji, while at Los Angeles five days ago, similar concerns were raised.

Mr Speaker, my Office will, in the coming days, get in touch with the respective Ministries and Departments to resolve these concerns.

It is inexcusable that these have been either left unattended or given piecemeal treatment for a very long time.

The concerns relate to:

(i) their registration and participation in

general elections

(ii) registration of births, marriages,
(iii) difficulties with applications and approval processes for investment,

(iv) difficulties with passports, as well as
adoption and the processes they are
required to follow.

One thing that I want to underscore is that for our people who have left our shores, many have done very well for themselves, and we should congratulate and rejoice with them.

They are important players in our economy. Their contribution through remittances is headed to another record year.

Mr. Speaker, they have done us proud; they are flying Fiji’s flag and carrying our names as a country where they live and work.

To them we owe our gratitude. To them may I echo the words of John Wesley as he farewelled the early Methodist missionaries:

“Wherever you might go, do the best you can, where you can, with whom you can, as long as you can.”

The visit culminated with a church service at John Wesley Church in London on Sunday May 12th. It was a fitting end to a memorable week.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the relationship between Fiji and the British Monarch and His Majesty’s Government are strong and enduring.

I am proud to report Sir, that the visit has embraced this relationship while also breathing new life into it, starting from the very top; from Buckingham Palace to the Lords and Ministers of State, officials and service
personnel of this great country.

To them I say, vinaka vakalevu, from a grateful nation. I thank you Sir, for the opportunity to deliver this Ministerial Statement.

Vina’a Va’alevu, Dhaanyavaad & Shukria.