Malaysia, PNG and USA embassies to re-open while establishment of a new embassy in Israel to be considered in the budget

Cabinet agreed that the re-opening of three Embassies in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and Washington DC in the United States of America, and the establishment of a new embassy in Israel, be considered in the 2023 – 2024 national budget.

Following yesterday’s cabinet meeting, the government says following the global COVID-19 pandemic, a total of five missions (Washington DC, Seoul, Port Moresby, Brussels and Kuala Lumpur) were closed as part of government’s 2020/2021 budgetary response.

They say Fiji’s engagement with these countries is currently undertaken by other missions on accreditation arrangements.

The government says in addition, Fiji has maintained amicable relations with the State of Israel, through bilateral cooperation on peace and security, and areas such as agriculture.

They say the government’s cooperation with Israel is currently facilitated through the Israel Embassy in Canberra, and through the Office of the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations (PRUN) in New York.

They add the establishment of an embassy in Israel is a commitment of the People’s Coalition Government.