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Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama met with the European Union (EU) Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, His Excellency Gabriel Visentin, yesterday (20/05/22).
He formally welcomed Mr Visentin and thanked him for his visit to Fiji, which will help strengthen relations between EU, Fiji and the region in our shared priorities.
The Prime Minister acknowledged EU for the comprehensive support provided for Fiji’s efforts towards economic recovery, and build back better initiatives pursued in the post covid era. EU’s contribution to the COVAX facility, which enabled Fiji to access lifesaving vaccines and ongoing cooperation in socioeconomic sectors, including health, education, women and children empowerment, and assistance in cross-sectoral programmes, were also acknowledged.
He also commended EU’s support in the area of disaster management and resilience, Fiji’s rebuilding efforts in the aftermaths of natural disasters, especially through provision of emergency supplies and technical assistance. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to work closely with EU to elevate partnerships at all levels, particularly through the EU’s Indo Pacific strategy, which aligns with the Fijian Government’s strategic priorities and foreign policy.
He expressed the sentiments of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are disproportionally impacted by the climate crisis, and the impacts of the #COVID19 pandemic which further exacerbates SIDS vulnerability. He reinforced Fiji’s solidarity with EU in addressing issues of mutual concern and expanding opportunities for greater cooperation, especially through the EU’s Indo Pacific Strategy.
The Prime Minister extended the Fijian Government’s appreciation to Mr Visentin for his commitment to Fiji, and the region’s development and assured him of Fijian Government’s continued support in taking Fiji and EU relations to new heights. In response, Mr Visentin commended Prime Minister Bainimarama for his exemplary leadership for the advancement of regional and global prosperity.
“I am very honoured having had the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Prime Minister and with the Honourable Minister for Defence, National Security, Policing, Disaster Management and Rural and Maritime Development in Fiji yesterday.
“It was an occasion to state the excellent relations between Fiji and the European Union and to further explore possibilities for strengthening our co-operation, particularly, in accordance with priorities of the new EU Indo-Pacific Strategy: green transition, ocean governance, security and defence, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, digital governance and partnerships, connectivity and human security. European Union’s approach is one of co-operation, and our renewed commitment to the whole Pacific region is inclusive of all partners who wish to co-operate with the European Union.”
“I thanked the Honourable Prime Minister for the active role and leadership of Fiji as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum for contributing and securing Pacific support in the United Nations to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Pacific support proves we share the same principles and values of promoting global peace and respect for rules-based multilateral order” said the European Union (EU) Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, His Excellency Gabriel Visentin.
Mr Visentin thanked the Fijian Government for the kind hospitality accorded to him during his official visit to #Fiji this week.
It provided an opportunity to reflect on the current areas of cooperation between Fiji-EU, and potential opportunities for deeper engagements.
The Prime Minister acknowledged EU for the comprehensive support provided for Fiji’s efforts towards economic recovery, and build back better initiatives pursued in the post covid era. EU’s contribution to the COVAX facility, which enabled Fiji to access lifesaving vaccines and ongoing cooperation in socioeconomic sectors, including health, education, women and children empowerment, and assistance in cross-sectoral programmes, were also acknowledged.
He also commended EU’s support in the area of disaster management and resilience, Fiji’s rebuilding efforts in the aftermaths of natural disasters, especially through provision of emergency supplies and technical assistance. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to work closely with EU to elevate partnerships at all levels, particularly through the EU’s Indo Pacific strategy, which aligns with the Fijian Government’s strategic priorities and foreign policy.
He expressed the sentiments of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are disproportionally impacted by the climate crisis, and the impacts of the #COVID19 pandemic which further exacerbates SIDS vulnerability. He reinforced Fiji’s solidarity with EU in addressing issues of mutual concern and expanding opportunities for greater cooperation, especially through the EU’s Indo Pacific Strategy.
The Prime Minister extended the Fijian Government’s appreciation to Mr Visentin for his commitment to Fiji, and the region’s development and assured him of Fijian Government’s continued support in taking Fiji and EU relations to new heights. In response, Mr Visentin commended Prime Minister Bainimarama for his exemplary leadership for the advancement of regional and global prosperity.
“I am very honoured having had the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Prime Minister and with the Honourable Minister for Defence, National Security, Policing, Disaster Management and Rural and Maritime Development in Fiji yesterday.
“It was an occasion to state the excellent relations between Fiji and the European Union and to further explore possibilities for strengthening our co-operation, particularly, in accordance with priorities of the new EU Indo-Pacific Strategy: green transition, ocean governance, security and defence, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, digital governance and partnerships, connectivity and human security. European Union’s approach is one of co-operation, and our renewed commitment to the whole Pacific region is inclusive of all partners who wish to co-operate with the European Union.”
“I thanked the Honourable Prime Minister for the active role and leadership of Fiji as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum for contributing and securing Pacific support in the United Nations to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Pacific support proves we share the same principles and values of promoting global peace and respect for rules-based multilateral order” said the European Union (EU) Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, His Excellency Gabriel Visentin.
Mr Visentin thanked the Fijian Government for the kind hospitality accorded to him during his official visit to #Fiji this week.
It provided an opportunity to reflect on the current areas of cooperation between Fiji-EU, and potential opportunities for deeper engagements.
