Indonesia, Fiji To Establish New Cooperation Agenda

Jakarta, Feb 12 (Antara) - Deputy Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir and Fiji's Ambassador to Indonesia Seremaia Tuinausori Cavuilati are discussing possible cooperation to develop better relations. The deputy held a meeting with the ambassador of Fiji here on Wednesday. During the meeting, they reviewed the cooperation that has been established between Indonesia and Fiji. Ambassador Cavuilati lauded the relations with Indonesia established through 13 bilateral agreements in various fields. The Government of Fiji is also actively participating in various scholarship programs and capacity-building trainings sponsored by Indonesia. Furthermore, Ambassador Cavuilati echoed his country's interest in enhancing cooperation in the marine and fisheries sectors. Moreover, Fachir emphasized the importance of communication to foster closer ties between the two countries. "Both countries also need to realize the potential of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of economy, which can bring direct benefits to the people," he remarked. Head of Assessment and Policy Development Agency from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Darmansjah Djumala earlier stated that the future of Indonesia's foreign policy will be directed to strengthen relations with the Pacific Island countries. "We recommend establishing the Melanesian Cultural Center," he said. Fiji is an independent island nation in the southern Pacific Ocean, located approximately 3.1 thousand kilometers northeast of Sydney, Australia. Since the inception of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Fiji in 1974 and the opening of the Indonesian Embassy in Suva, both countries have always endeavored to enhance bilateral partnership in the marine and fishery sectors, given that the nations have several things in common as both are archipelagic countries. The Government of Indonesia earlier had technical collaboration with Fiji in the marine and fishery sectors; the training for seaweed farming and processing in 2012; the establishment of the seaweed processing facility in Suva, Fiji; and the training for fish chip processing, which was technically initiated and supplied by the Indonesian Government.