The Government will look into expanding the number of honorary consuls, especially in the capitals of our Pacific Island neighbours.
This is according to the Foreign Policy White Paper 2024 that was launched earlier this week.
The policy is Fiji’s first White Paper on Foreign Policy and sets out the path that Fiji will follow in the next decade to meet complex foreign policy challenges.
The document says honorary consuls can be a very cost-effective means of lifting Fiji’s diplomatic profile and providing consular assistance to Fiji’s growing diaspora.
“Finally, a durable foreign policy ultimately rests on the support and understanding of the people of Fiji,” the document states.
“This requires a well-informed community with a sound grasp of what Fiji’s foreign policy seeks to achieve and how it directly advances their security and economic wellbeing.
“The Government also recognises that to effectively advance Fiji’s foreign policy, we will need a larger diplomatic footprint.”
The document acknowledges that this can not be achieved overnight but the Government will work towards establishing new diplomatic missions in strategic regions over time.
