Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of the first Diplomatic Mission of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany in Fiji.
While making the announcement at the Post-Cabinet meeting press conference this morning, Rabuka says Fiji and Germany have maintained diplomatic relations since August 1st, 1973.
He says Germany does not have an embassy in Fiji but is currently represented by its Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, and has an honourary consul in Fiji.
The Prime Minister adds that Germany supports Fiji’s development through EU projects in critical areas such as climate change adaption, disaster risk reduction, sustainable rural livelihoods, public administration reform and governance, gender and human rights, infrastructure, education and vocational training, as well as health.
Rabuka says the establishment of the German Diplomatic Mission in Fiji will allow for greater cooperation on business opportunities and investments in both countries and encourage greater people-to-people cooperation through educational opportunities in Germany and the European region.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that Cabinet has approved the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the Government of Niue.
He says Niue wished to establish formal diplomatic relations with Fiji due to Fiji’s strategic location as a regional hub of trade, travel, finance, telecommunications and multilateral one-stop shop with the centralisation of regional and international organisations in Suva, Fiji.
He adds Fiji and Niue have worked closely as Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) on Climate Change and the UNCLOS.
