Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are working towards re-establishing their defense relationship.
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua said this after PNG Defense Minister Dr Billy Joseph’s visit to the taskforce command headquarters, Blackrock Camp, in Nadi on Friday.
He said an understanding between the two countries was endorsed by Cabinet some time ago.
“He (Dr Joseph) wants to reinvigorate that understanding to allow Fijian and PNG service personnel to have combined training,” he said.
“We had talks to bring back to the table that MOU to work together and start planning again,” he said.
Mr Tikoduadua added that his counterpart also toured the Blackrock facility to have an idea of what Fiji could offer them in terms of training capability and said that in the future, the two countries defence forces could also co-deploy to UN peacekeeping duties as well.
When queried how soon the MOU would materialise, he said the visit was just the beginning and they were working together to take it forward.
Dr Billy was accorded a quarter guard parade along with a traditional welcome ceremony.
