Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 30, 2022
The four-day visit of New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to Fiji and the extensive discussions that she had with Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum and other ministers and officials, are set to begin a new phase of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Two years ago, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited the country to begin the healing process and over the past 24 months, a number of measures, including disaster aid, Covid-19 vaccines and regular contacts have helped to thaw relations.
This week, Mr Bainimarama spoke of the warming ties between the two countries when he met Ms Mahuta, who visited the Pacific Island country for the first time after becoming Foreign Minister in November 2020.
She spoke of strategic cooperation, elevation of relationship and foundation of share values- words that would have pleased Mr Bainimarama and his government.
Duavata Partnership Agreement
Fiji will shortly switch to election mode with polling expected to be held in September. Mr Bainimarama and his Fiji First Party face challenges with opposition parties gaining strength.
on March 29, 2022 (Fiji Government Photo)
Mr Bainimarama, who also holds the Foreign Affairs portfolio, signed the ‘Duavata Partnership Agreement,’ expressing ‘joint ambition to elevate the relationship to a new level of expanded strategic cooperation, based on a foundation of shared values and equal partnership and achieved through trust and consultation.’
The Agreement mentions five areas of common ground, including democracy, economic resilience, security, social wellbeing, climate change and disaster resilience.
Its security provisions include a promise to uphold sovereign authority over land and maritime territories, borders and exclusive economic zones, on problems like maritime security and transnational crime as well as sharing information and training.
It also highlights coordinating a response to future pandemics, achieving gender equality, reducing violence against women, and improving educational, cultural and sporting connections.
Mr Bainimarama called it ‘a landmark achievement in the advancement of Fiji and New Zealand collaboration.’
“It illustrates our shared commitment and vision for regional solidarity. New Zealand has been a great partner and friend to Fiji and our partnership is the strongest ever. As a unified Pacific family, we take great pride in commemorating this momentous occasion which speaks to our historical links and lasting bonds of friendship that inspires initiatives for the empowerment of ordinary Fijians and create platforms for national and regional prosperity,” he said.
on March 29, 2022 (Fiji Government Photo)
Gratitude to New Zealand
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum thanked Ms Mahuta, her government and the people of New Zealand during a meeting of the two delegations on March 29, 2022, in Suva.
“We are grateful to the New Zealand Government for providing life-saving vaccines, direct budget support, and technical and medical assistance in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We discussed the recent re-opening of Fiji and New Zealand’s borders and tourism sectors, national strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, global inflation and supply chain issues, Fiji’s growing BPO sector, policy reforms for the health and labour sectors, and other opportunities for co-operation for strategic advantage in the region,” he said.
New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow hosted a dinner reception at her official residence in honour of Ms Mahuta and her visiting delegation on Monday, March 29, 2022. The event was attended by Mr Bainimarama, officials of the two governments, diplomats, businesspersons and community leaders.
