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FIJI’S peacekeeping role is one that the country should be proud of, says Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
While visiting the Blackrock military camp in Nadi over the weekend, he said Australia would continue its engagement with Fiji through the development of their peacekeeping duties.
“We are here in supporting Fiji in terms of their peacekeeping missions,” he said.
“As I’ve said to Fijian troops, 52 Fijians have given their lives for peacekeeping operations.
“We visited a very moving memorial in Suva and it is quite striking.
“When we go and look at the honour role in Australia, we are looking at those that served in the first World War and the second World War and when you see the Fijian memorial, they are the names of peacekeepers.
“The President of Fiji has won a military cross in service as a peacekeeper.
“So the peacekeeping role is one of great pride for their nation and so it should be.
“That is why we are so pleased to support them and we will continue to do so as we have been recently doing.”
Mr Morrison also addressed questions from the media regarding recruiting Fijian soldiers to serve in the Australian Defence Forces.
“That is not something that is in front of us at the moment. I think our existing arrangements are serving good purposes, but that is the purpose of having ongoing dialogue.
“What we are doing here at the moment is very significant and so there is quite a bit on at the moment.
“These are things that we are going to keep under advisement, but that is the purpose of always being in contact with each other.”