As Fijians, we have always regarded the people of Israel as friends, just as we do the citizens of its neighbours. We are here to help. We are here to keep the peace. And that commitment will continue now and in the years ahead.
Those are the words of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama before he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today.
Bainimarama says his visit is part of a tour that he is making of Middle East capitals to discuss Fiji’s contribution to United Nations Peacekeeping operations in the region.
He says that for 38 years, Fiji has proudly provided our servicemen and women to serve in UN operations on the Israel‑Syrian border and in Lebanon and Egypt.
Bainimarama says that he has promised the Israeli Prime Minister that Fiji’s commitment will continue, just as he will tell other leaders in the Middle East that they can always rely on Fiji.
He says at the forefront of their discussions will be the safety of Fijian men and women in uniform as they carry out their duties on behalf of the UN.
Bainimarama says this will also be the message he will take to Lebanon later in the week and to the UAE and other nations in the Middle East in the weeks and months ahead.
He says that he is also looking for Israel’s support on a range of issues including agriculture and especially our effort to draw global attention to the need for more decisive action on climate change.
The Prime Minister says the rising sea levels and extreme weather events associated with climate change threaten our very existence in the Pacific, and Fiji needs the support of Israel and every nation as the Pacific takes this fight to Morocco and COP‑22 later in the month.
Bainimarama also passed on the invitation for the Israeli Prime Minister and his family to come to Fiji and enjoy a holiday here.
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