PM Meets New British High Commissioner
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy call from the new British High Commissioner to Fiji, Christopher George Edgar. Mr Bainimarama congratulated Mr Edgar on his new appointment and reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s continued support to advance bilateral partnership between Fiji and the United Kingdom (UK) through collaboration with the British High Commission in Suva.
He conveyed the Fijian Government’s appreciation to the Government of United Kingdom for its remarkable contributions to Fiji’s national development and support to the region. In particular, the Fijian Government acknowledged the latest announcement by the UK Government to provide £1.8m (FJ$4.92m) to support the Pacific’s COVID-19 preparedness and response, aiding Fiji and the region.
Mr Bainimarama said Fiji looks forward to strengthening engagements with the UK by working closely with Mr Edgar.
Fiji will also capitalise on the upcoming meetings of the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in October and the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June next year, to redouble efforts with the UK Government to pursue shared aspirations on the Sustainable Development Agenda. Mr Edgar said he was honoured to take up his new diplomatic role in Fiji and assured Mr Bainimarama of the UK Government’s commitment to continue to support the Fijian Government in advancing Fiji’s national priorities and leadership at the global and regional arena.
In recognition of the importance of military links between Fiji and the UK, High Commissioner Edgar expressed the UK’s gratitude for Fiji’s commitment to the British Armed Forces and praised Fiji’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping.
He also praised the Fijian Government’s commitment and the swift coordination of Fiji’s national response to containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Edgar said that he looks forward to Fiji’s 50th Anniversary of independence in particular the special nature of the Fiji and UK relations, and their shared history and values.