Caption: Hon Minister Leads a Fiji Delegation to the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Seen here with Ambassador Nair.Photo:SUPPLIED.
Fiji’s Minister for Immigration, National Security and Defence Hon. Timoci Lesi Natuva is leading a delegation to the United Arab Emirates for the 2015 International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Gulf Defence Conference.
The Hon. Minister is in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the UAE Government and is leading a delegation of seven senior officers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Fiji’s Ambassador to the UAE, Ambassador Robin Nair, is accompanying the Minister and his delegation.
Drawing on over twenty years of experience, the IDEX is widely recognised as the foremost showcase of the very latest technology, insight and innovation that currently defines the modern defence industry.
Attended by a large number of distinguished guests including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and the Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir. The grand opening ceremony provided a fitting commencement for one of the world’s most strategically important defence exhibitions. This year’s edition of IDEX features more than 160 international delegations.
At a reception, Ambassador Nair welcomed the Minister and his delegation saying “our military policy is also an extension of our foreign policy. It builds on the contribution of our much-acclaimed military contribution to global peace and security under the United Nations Charter. UAE is now one of our military partners as well as a partner in other spheres of international relations and also in providing bilateral assistance for our development”.
During their visit, the RFMF delegation will hold bilateral talks with a senior delegation from the UAE Armed Forces under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the RFMF and the UAE Armed Forces.
DEPTFO