As a European Union (EU) member State, Spain will strengthen cooperation with Fiji in the international fora to address climate change, protect oceans and natural resources, promote democracy and human rights, and defend international peace and security.
This was conveyed today to the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Honourable Lenora Qereqeretabua while receiving an introductory call from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Spain in Fiji, Mr Gaël Sánchez Cano.
Honourable Qereqeretabua acknowledged Spain’s commitment to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change, oceans, governance, gender and human rights.
She acknowledged Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), a platform to leverage greater level of cooperation with EU on issues of mutual interest.
On the same note, Honourable Qereqeretabua thanked Spain for supporting Fiji through EU led initiatives and coordination of the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
She welcomed Spain’s desire to upgrade partnerships in trade and investment, tourism and people-to-people links.
Mr. Cano congratulated Honourable Qereqeretabua on the assumption of her new role and wished her well in her tenure.
On behalf of Spain, Mr. Cano commended Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and the People’s Coalition Government for active contribution to a fully reconciled Pacific Islands Forum earlier this year.
“As a European nation, Spain also thanks Fiji for its support to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolutions calling to end Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
“Spain is also one of the 21 Dialogue Partners of the Pacific Islands Forum. In this context, it is especially committed to ocean governance, and as such it has been contributing yearly to the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner,” Mr. Cano said.
He outlined the priorities of Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU for the duration, 1st July to 31st December 2023.
“Among the priorities of the Spanish presidency, Spain will impulse the European Union Strategy for the Indo-Pacific, and will redouble efforts to achieve the signature and implementation of the future framework agreement between the European Union and the
Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States,” Mr. Cano highlighted.
He said Spain looks forward to collaborating closely with Fiji in taking our cooperation to newer heights.
“Spain established a diplomatic office in Fiji in 2015. Today, it is one of the three European Union Member States with a permanent representation in Suva,” Mr. Cano stated.
