PM MORRISON:
FIJI IS A SOVEREIGN NATION
AND SHOULD MAKE OWN DECISIONS
Fiji is a sovereign nation and it makes its own decisions as it should as expected of all Pacific nations, says Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Mr Morrison was touring Blackrock Military Camp in Nadi yesterday when he made the comment. He is in the country on the margins of the Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league matches at the ANZ Stadium. He left yesterday. Mr Morrison said China’s influence in Fiji would not interrupt Australia’s relationship with the country.
“Who Fiji worked with is a matter for Fiji, they are a sovereign country and they make their own decisions as they should as all Pacific nations do,” he said.
“A key part of the Pacific step up is recognising the independence and sovereignty of each and every Pacific Island nation and we want them to be able to preserve that independence and sovereignty and encourage them always in that way and provide whatever support they need in making any decisions that they make.”
Blackrock Camp
Mr Morrison, who was given a tour of the camp by the Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu, commended Fiji’s contribution to peacekeeping efforts. Blackrock is currently undergoing a redevelopment phase of its Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance Camp.
It comes following a memorandum of understanding in April this year. The project is a significant part of the Vuvale Partnership between Fiji and Australia.
Mr Morrison said: “We have always been so pleased to support that and have been, most recently, over the last several months to assist in a number of areas here.”