The United States (U.S.) has commended the People’s Coalition Government for the commitment to reopen Fiji’s diplomatic mission in the Washington, D.C.
This follows, on the recent announcement by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka that Fiji will reopen three diplomatic missions in Washington (US), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), to restore Fiji’s presence to countries that have been and will continue to be major security and development partners.
In welcoming this announcement, Ambassador for the United States to Fiji, Ms. Marie C. Damour said the U.S. is strongly supportive of Fiji reopening its Mission in Washington, D.C, and looks forward to the increased collaboration it will facilitate.
She said this is an important step to deepen the levels of cooperation between our two nations in regional security, economic and development cooperation.
This support from U.S. was conveyed today to the Permanent for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lesikimacuata Korovavala during an introductory call received from Ambassador Damour.
Dr. Korovavala said work is in progress to fully operationalize Fiji’s Mission in Washington, to strengthen Fiji and the U.S. cooperation in important areas of development such as economy and trade, tourism and investment, defence and security, climate change, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).
He welcomed the U.S. commitment to establish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office here in Suva, this year, which will unfold new opportunities to collaborate closely to assist the communities in Fiji. The USAID team is also working with Fiji on finalising a Bilateral Framework Agreement to formalise this new area of cooperation.
Dr. Korovavala expressed Fiji’s commitment to enhance Fijian diaspora engagements in the U.S. and also thanked them for their contributions through remittances and investment.
He welcomed the U.S. commitment to work with Fiji through various capacity building, academic and professional training opportunities and initiatives aimed at empowering our local communities.
On regional cooperation, Dr. Korovavala acknowledged the U.S. re-engagement with the region through appointment of Ambassador Frankie Reed as the first ever U.S. Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), illustrating the U.S. commitment to Pacific regionalism.
In response, Ambassador Damour congratulated Dr. Korovavala for assumption of his new office and also reaffirmed the U.S. continued support to Fiji.
She spoke on the new initiatives undertaken by the U.S. to support the People’s Coalition Government’s national development priorities.
“In August, we will officially open the USAID Pacific Islands mission in Suva to promote our shared development goals for a more resilient, more connected, and more prosperous region as outlined in the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.
“In the coming year, the U.S. Department of Commerce will lead a U.S. business delegation to the Pacific Islands to look at concrete opportunities in energy, in transportation, in health care, in tourism, and telecommunication sectors.
“We’re also partnering with Johns Hopkins University to welcome the first cohort of Pacific leaders at the U.S. Pacific Institute for Rising Leaders program this fall. This program, which springs from the President’s summit last September, will bring the region’s brightest minds together to address key priorities,” Ambassador Damour said.
She said the U.S. security cooperation activities with Fiji will expand through training opportunities, and equipping of Fiji’s military and joint maritime law enforcement initiatives.
“We also work together to provide humanitarian assistance when disaster strikes, and to build local capacity to prepare for and respond to humanitarian crises.
“For the past 55 years, Peace Corps has connected volunteers with Fijian communities to help reach capacity and development goals,” Ambassador Damour said.
She highlighted that with the return of Peace Corps Volunteers to service this year, new friendships and collaborations are developing right now, further reinforcing our, “long-lasting commitment and partnership with each other.”
