Fiji and Australia to build a new chapter in the Vuvale Partnership

The Australian Government has reasserted its unwavering support and commitment to work closely with the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka and the Fiji Government in building a new chapter in the Vuvale Partnership.

The partnership was articulated during an introductory call to Prime Minister Rabuka from the Chargé d'affaires of the Australian High Commission in Fiji, John Williams.

Williams says Australia looks forward to working closely with Rabuka and his Government to build a new chapter in their Vuvale Partnership with Fiji.

He says in their initial meetings with Rabuka and his Ministers, they have been listening carefully to understand their priorities for Fiji, for their bilateral partnership and for their shared Blue Pacific.

Williams emphasised that Australia also values Fiji’s ongoing work as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and will support Rabuka in this important regional role.

Meanwhile, Rabuka thanked Williams and his team for the opportunity to discuss issues of importance to Fiji-Australia and the Blue Pacific continent.

He conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the Australian Government for the enormous support they have provided to Fiji and the Pacific, over the years.

Rabuka commended the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his exemplary leadership and commitment to work closely with Fiji in strengthening the economies of the two nations as they aspire to recover progressively from the pandemic, advance defence and security partnership, economic cooperation, actions to tackle climate change and protect the oceans and the environment for the future generations.

He thanked Albanese for the invitation to visit Canberra this year and he looks forward to taking up the offer to further strengthen the levels of cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

In his capacity as the new Chair for the Pacific Islands Forum, Rabuka says he will serve to the best of his ability to reunite the region with the Pacific family’s best interest at heart of every action.

He has also reaffirmed his commitment to find a way to bring Kiribati back to the Forum family and nurture the regional solidarity.

Rabuka also acknowledged Australia’s continued support to the Forum family, and he is confident that together Fiji and Australia will create new opportunities to empower and uplift the lives of the communities in Fiji, Pacific and beyond.