Caption:Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuaboal with Japanese Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee leader Shinako Tsuchiya.Photo:SUPPLIED.
Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said Fiji intends to strengthen bilateral relations with Japan this year.
Minister Kubuabola when meeting Japanese Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee leader Ms Shinako Tsuchiya who paid him a courtesy call in Suva this week said Fiji looked forward to strengthening its relations with Japan this year.
“I am thankful to the Japanese government for all the development cooperation projects that have been implemented through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)and the hardworking staff at the Japanese Embassy who have developed a close working relationship with our ministry staff,” he said.
He informed the committee that the scheduled visit of another Japanese delegation early next month to participate in the Japan- Fiji Economic Cooperation Policy Consultation is an indication of the growing mutual interest between the two countries’ development policies.
Minister Kubuabola also congratulated the Japanese Government for the elections victory by a super majority of the Abe Coalition late last year.
He thanked them for their support during the elections in Fiji in September last year.
Minister Kubuabola briefed the committee led by Ms Tsuchiya of the post-election developments in Fiji.
He informed Ms Tsuchiya that Fiji’s current Parliamentary make up had the highest number of female representatives to date.
“We have a parliament where most of our members are first time Parliamentarians,” he added.
He extended the Fijian Government’s request to Japan to explore an initiative where a Fijian Parliamentary Team could visit the Japanese Parliament.
“We have been exploring opportunities for a select group of Fijian Parliamentarians to visit other countries and learn from them.”“This could be something which you may wish to explore where we can arrange for such a visit to Japan,” said Minister Kubuabola.
MEDIA RELEASE