Fiji and the United States of America will continue to work together to further enhance regional security and promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
This was conveyed by the U.S Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Commander Admiral John. C. Aquilino during a cocktail reception hosted by the U.S Embassy and the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies last night.
In attendance was the Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka who was joined by some cabinet ministers and members of the defence forces, senior government officials and representatives from various organisations at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel.
Admiral Aquilino, while delivering his remarks, said it’s clear that the relationship between the U.S and Fiji continues to grow over the years.
“Decades of people-to-people ties, the desire for the same values, and free and open practice are some key elements of our strong relationship,” he said.
“The U.S will continue to work with Fiji to ensure that the region remains stable and safer.”
Prime Minister Rabuka, in his address, welcomed Admiral Aquilino to our shores and thanked him and his delegation for the opportunity to meet and discuss areas of common interests.
“Thank you for the meeting this afternoon (Tuesday 31st January) where we talked about international relations and the importance of keeping our strategic focus in place,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the people’s coalition government is still putting in place its policies and “we want to make sure that we discourage conflict in this part of the world”.
“We would like to continue to cooperate with old friends and those friends who have stood by us in times of crises. We have similar justice and democratic systems and are more comfortable with old friends that value our little contribution to the survival of democracy in the world.
“We will play our part and we appreciate very much the greater power in the world that stands with us and for us,” he added.
Admiral John C. Aquilio is the 26th Commander of the USINDOPACOM, the nation’s oldest and largest combatant command.
The USINDOPACOM accommodates about 380,000 personnel and is responsible for all U.S military activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
