ISRAEL will work with Fiji on development and security co-operation, with Fiji to choose the areas of partnership that best serve its national interests.
Israel’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar said this after meeting Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, where a range of possible areas for co-operation were presented to the Fijian Government.
However, Mr Sa’ar said he could not specify or quantify the level of investment or support Israel was prepared to contribute at this stage.
Mr Sa’ar said the decision on which areas to pursue would now rest with Fiji.
He said Israel had already worked with Fiji in the past through MASHAV, Israel’s international development agency, which had provided training opportunities for Fijians both locally and in Israel.
Mr Sa’ar said the opening of Israel’s embassy in Fiji would allow both countries to move more quickly on areas of co-operation.
“We have both ambassadors that will work, and I also instructed on a new future of the head of MASHAV agency, this development agency here in Fiji very soon.
“So I’m very optimistic that this golden era the Prime Minister had spoken about will be implemented by contents which will benefit our both nations.”
On security, Mr Sa’ar said Israel was also looking at co-operation with Fiji to help prevent possible threats.
He said Israel faced enemies who used terrorism, not only inside Israel, but also against Israeli diplomats in other parts of the world.
While he said he could not rule out the possibility of such threats reaching the region, Mr Sa’ar said co-operation between Israel and Fiji would be important in helping prevent any such attacks.
