Australia and Fiji bilateral relations are just going to continue to get stronger.
This is the comment made by the Australian Minister for International development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo who arrived in the country today.
In an interview with Fiji One News, Ciobo also expressed the Australian Government’s commitment towards addressing climate change.
In his first visit as the Minister for International development and the Pacific, Ciobo is here to further develop bilateral relations.
He said there’s clearly strong commitment from both sides.
“Your Prime Minister Bainimarama came to Australia and commented let bygones be bygones and in many respects,it underscores the nature of the relationship with Fiji and Australia where on the front foot we’re both looking forward to a positive future, to strong engagement and our relationship continues to grow so I’m very excited to be back here in Fiji. My second trip this year is an opportunity to continue developing the relationship” said Ciobo
Ciobo also met with the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum and Minister for Women & Children Rosy Akbar.
” We had a good conversation. Meeting with both ministers was an opportunity to run through the values Australia places on the relationship, an opportunity to focus on the many areas that we have in common. Australia and Fiji of course want to continue to develop the relationship we’re doing that in a number of ways”
Ciobo was also asked on whether the Australian Government will make further commitments towards addressing Climate Change.
“Well Australia has a very good stance on climate change. We understand that climate change is important to the Pacific, indeed it is to Australia as well. We acknowledge that the issues around climate change are both in terms of resilience and in terms of adaptation, in terms of mitigation are concerns for all Pacific countries as indeed they are for Australia but Australia has on a per capita basis some of the most ambitious targets that exist to reduce our CO2 emissions. Australia has a very good story in terms of taking strong and responsible decisions about reducing our CO2 emissions. On per capita basis, one of the highest reductions in the world so we’re certainly doing our bit.
Importantly we’re also very focused on how we can use the green climate fund and our board position with the Green Climate Fund to be strong advocates on behalf of the Pacific Island Countries, to be strong advocates on behalf of the Pacific Island Countries as well. We’re also providing assistance to Pacific Island Countries to make sure they can continue development on their core competencies in relation to negotiations around climate change ahead of the COP 21 meeting in Paris ” said Ciobo
Tomorrow, Ciobo will have a tour of CWM Hospital and launch the ‘Infection Prevention and Control in Maternity Units Training Manual’ with the Minister for Health Jone Usamate before leaving the country.