AUSTRALIA’S Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says that by working together as equal partners in the spirit of vuvale, the two countries can address challenges such as the scourge of illicit drugs and the impact of climate change.
Speaking at the announcement of the winning tender of the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital redevelopment master plan at the hospital’s Peace Garden yesterday, she said bilateral cooperation between the two nations had even resulted in the seizure of the 4.27 tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi earlier this year.
“In my first visit as Foreign Minister in May of 2022, I spoke about my hope that we could work together as we deal with the challenges and opportunities this world presents us. Well, two years on, I would reflect that these challenges are becoming more complex and more interconnected,” Ms Wong said.
“Whether it’s the impact of climate change, the scourge of illicit drugs, or how we harness the benefits of technology while managing the risks around cyber security, but together, we can keep rising to these challenges, or by working together as equal partners in the spirit of vuvale.”
She said Australia was willing to work with Fiji on issues that were identified as priorities.
“Well first, I would say that the principle of vuvale, and our work with you is that we seek to be responsive, so that I would not come here to tell you what we would do. We work with you on the programs, on the issues that the government and the people identify to us as priorities in the ways that you seek to work with us, that you seek support.
“So, I just would make that as a general proposition. We do have a range of bilateral and regional programs, including stronger engagement with law enforcement targeting drug production and trafficking, as well as broader response support for responses for the social impacts of drug use.”
Ms Wong said some of the programs that they were already assisting Fiji in are the Fiji Police Force reset, the delivery of police command centres, training in areas ranging from intelligence to digital forensics, and transnational investigations.
