Caption: (L-R) PSPSC, Parmesh Chand, Minister Kubuabola, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste, Dr Pinto and Timor Leste Ambassador to the Pacific, Abel Guterres.
Fiji will soon send experienced workers to contribute to Timor Leste’s economic and social development under the Fiji Volunteer Scheme.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement of Fiji Volunteers Scheme between the Fijian government and the government of Timor Leste this afternoon.
Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said that the MOA marks another milestone for the Fijian government’s initiative to reform the management of employment creation services and contribute to Pillar 5 of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress which is achieving higher economic growth while ensuring sustainability.
“I acknowledge with gratitude the acceptance of the government of Timor Leste for identifying with and agreeing to work with the Fiji Volunteer Scheme,” Minister Kubuabola said.
“The Fijian government supports the development of our neighbouring countries especially to assist in their human resource needs.”
The minister added that Fiji has sufficient and proven capacity in areas of education, public administration, disaster management, peacekeeping, social protection and environment.
Timor Leste Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Constancio Pinto said that the MOA was indeed a milestone in Fiji and Timor Leste’s bilateral relations.
“With this MOA, we are hoping that Fiji will assist us in areas that are needed the most and I am sure that the relations between the two countries will broaden further,” Dr Pinto said.
“Based on the experiences between us, we hope to have the same close relations with the volunteers as we did with the Fijian peacekeepers previously.”
The MOA signing stems from previous discussions between Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and Timor Leste President, Xanana Gusmao during the Pacific Islands Development Forum.
MINFO