Australian Minister Marise Payne meets PM Bainimarama
The Black Rock Camp would be turned into a world-class regional hub for peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation
Australia is pleased to work with Fiji redevelop the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Black Rock Camp facility in Votualevu, Nadi.
While visiting the camp in Nadi yesterday, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, said Australia’s partnership with Fiji had the impact in the region of providing the capacity to train, not only the RFMF, but other forces like the Police who often are part of peacekeeping duties internationally.
This is Senator Payne’s first overseas visit since the re-election of the Morrison government. This is her second visit to the country and second meeting with the Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Inia Seruiratu.
“Australia and Fiji are working together to redevelop the RFMF Camp facility into a world-class regional hub for peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation,” Ms Payne said.
“This is a return visit to the Black Rock facility and to Fiji. My first visit as a Defence Minister and it is a great pleasure to be back with my colleagues. Australia and Fiji are partners in the development of peace keeping and the ADT facilities here at Black Rock. Australia and Fiji are working together to redevelop this facility into a worldclass regional hub for peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation.
“Australia and the RFMF have a long history of working together along, of course the RFMF have a proud peacekeeping history. The chance to support the development facilities will build that capacity into the future.”
Mr Seruiratu said Fiji was grateful
for the partnership with the Australian government.
“The Honourable Minister has stated the stronger relationship that we have and of course this is the continuation of this,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“We as responsible citizens have the responsibility in the maintenance of global peace and security and we are happy to contribute in the new partnership and this is the new approach that the United Nation has seriously been considering not only regionally but with other stakeholders.
“We are thankful to the Australian
Australia and the RFMF have a long history of working together along, of course the RFMF have a proud peacekeeping history. The chance to support the development facilities will build that capacity into the future. Senator Marise Payne Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women
government… We are indeed grateful that we have this opportunity again to be updated to see what is there for the ‘Vuvale Partnership’.”
The ‘Vuvale Partnership’ forges cooperation and consultation between Fiji and Australia, among which is the strengthening of people-to-people links.
The partnership also recognises the enhancement of Fiji and Australia’s security co-operation for the purpose of meeting common challenges and maintaining a secure region. It also emphasises the need to foster closer institutional linkages in support of strong and inclusive societies.
Edited by Naisa Koroi