PM Meets European Government Reps
Discusses co-operation ties with Norway in energy
Fiji and Norway have explored mutual co-operation in the renewable energy sector at a meeting in Suva between Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Norwegian Foreign Minister Tone Skogen. Mr Bainimarama noted Norway’s successful record in renewable energy, particularly with regards to vocational training offerings, and expressed Fiji’s interest in pursuing development co-operation and knowledge transfer in the renewables sector.
The meeting also covered bilateral collaboration in aqua-agriculture development. Mr Bainimarama outlined Fiji’s leadership agenda at the Conference of Parties (COP 23), and sought Norway’s commitment to assist with preparations in the lead-up to the COP 23 negotiations and to the United Nations Oceans Conference, which Fiji will co-host in June 2017.
He concluded the meeting by thanking the Norwegian Government for their significant contributions to the peacekeeping efforts through NATO and the UN. Mr Bainimarama on Monday also received the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Australia and New Zealand, Kamir Kusen.
Mr Bainimarama thanked Ambassador Kusen for visiting Fiji and sought support from the Republic of Croatia for Fiji’s presidential agenda at the 23rd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 23) in November of this year.
“Climate change is a global issue that will require global engagement to confront, and I look forward to working alongside the Republic of Croatia and all EU member states as we drive implementation of the Paris Agreement in Bonn later this year,” said the Prime Minister.
The meeting also covered co-operation in education, trade and tourism between Fiji and Croatia.
Mr Bainimarama also raised the possibility of visa exemption arrangements between the two countries.