Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Sakiasi Ditoka says Fiji must strike a balance between responsible spending and ensuring its leaders are adequately supported when representing the country overseas.
Mr Ditoka made the comments in response to reports the President is representing Fiji at the United Nations General Assembly.
He said the President, as Fiji’s Head of State and holder of the country’s highest office, should receive arrangements that reflected the dignity and standing of the office.
“When the President represents Fiji internationally, the arrangements made should properly reflect the dignity and standing of that Office and of the Republic itself,” Mr Ditoka said.
He said the same principle should apply proportionately to other government representatives travelling overseas, including the Prime Minister, ministers and ambassadors.
“This is not an argument for extravagance,” Mr Ditoka said.
“Public funds must always be used responsibly, and official travel must be reasonable, necessary and within the means available to Government.”
However, he said responsible expenditure should not result in Fiji inadequately supporting officials tasked with representing the country internationally.
“There must be a sensible balance,” he said.
Mr Ditoka acknowledged Fiji was a small developing country and that taxpayers ultimately carried the cost of official overseas travel.
“At the same time, Fiji is a sovereign nation. When our representatives engage other governments and international institutions, they carry the name and interests of our country with them,” he said.
Mr Ditoka said the level of protocol, security, logistical and official support provided should reflect the position held and the nature of the international engagement.
“Our approach should therefore be straightforward: no extravagance and no unnecessary expenditure, but neither should we diminish the dignity of our national institutions or compromise the ability of our representatives to do their work effectively,” he said.
“We should represent Fiji well, within reason and within our means.”
