A delegation from the Indonesian Parliament met with the Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs last week to help strengthen bilateral relations.
The Indonesian Embassy in Suva issued a statement saying the work visit was a follow-up to a bilateral meeting between Parliament Members of both countries during the second Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) held in July in Indonesia.
“Twelve pacific island countries gathered in Jakarta, to discuss ways forward to foster mutual understanding, mutual respect, and concrete cooperation for the Pacific region,” it stated.
Ratu Naiqama acknowledged Indonesia’s success in hosting the IPPP, in which he had led the Fijian parliamentary delegation.
Head of the Indonesia’s Parliamentary delegation Mohammad Muraz, said strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation in several areas could be a starting point for deeper parliamentary relations.
“I hope we can discuss what concrete steps can be taken by Fiji and Indonesia.
“Indonesia and Fiji share the same Pacific Ocean and the same interests on the ocean. Indonesia appreciates the vision of the Ocean of Peace as introduced by Prime
Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in various occasions. We would like to learn more about this vision in order to see how the vision fits into the Indonesian part of the Pacific,” Mr Muraz said.
The Indonesian parliamentarians were accompanied by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Fiji Dupito Simamora and they conducted a sit-in at Tuesday’s Parliamentary session.
