Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is in London to discuss areas of concern for Fiji, particularly in maritime security, counter-terrorism, Cyber defence, and protection of critical infrastructure.
While meeting with the UK’s Secretary of State For Defence, Grant Shappes MP in London, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted that the renewed cooperation will boost the ongoing protection of Fiji’s vast ocean and maritime space, including enhancing capabilities and exchange of information on defense and security matters.
Rabuka says the UK’s Royal Navy vessels, the HMS Tamar and HMS Spey are currently on a long-term deployment to the region– scouring Fiji waters in cooperation with the Fiji Navy.
He says this is a holistic assessment, encompassing not only our military capabilities but also the broader dimensions of Fiji’s economic security, cybersecurity, environmental security, and human security, as a means to enhance national stability.
UK Defence Ministry also acknowledged the importance of Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Camp in Nadi and has expressed interest in supporting its refurbishment and expansion.
They say more than twenty thousand Fijians have made the UK their home, the majority of whom have served and continue to serve in the British Army (BA).
This includes personnel who joined in 1961 as Commonwealth citizens and the more recent recruitment since 1997, and their families, many of whom have become UK citizens.
Currently, there are 2,000 active personnel from Fiji serving in the British army.
Rabuka's visit to the UK this week will enable further enhancement of development cooperation between the two nations.
He was accorded a stationary guard of honor upon arrival at the Ministry of Defence at Whitehall this morning.
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