Cross posted from The Jet Newspaper article 1 and article 2 and corroborated by Radio Fiji and Fiji Village. Excerpt of articles: PM opens embassy in Brazil
(Photo caption: Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and Brazilian Under Secretary General for Asia Pacific Region, Ms Maria Edileuza Reis cutting the cake to celebrate the opening of Fiji’s embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.)
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama opened Fiji’s first ever mission in the South American continent today at Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.
The Prime Minister said the opening of the embassy in Brasilia symbolised the new paradigm shift in Fiji.
“My Government believes in engagement with the wider international community,” Commodore Bainimarama told the guests present at the historic event.
“We believe that engagement should not only be confined to those nearest to us. International co-operation and engagement are critical to achieving global understanding and peace.”
Commodore Bainimarama said that working together as a group and enhancing more global integration provided the impetus to address issues such as climate change and peacekeeping among others.
“After all, it is only through appreciating differences and capitalising on diversity can we become rich in mind and matter,” Commodore Bainimarama said. “Thus, international co-operation and engagement will also help us as individual nations to achieve economic growth and economic diversification.”
In the past year, Fiji has opened up resident missions in Indonesia and South Africa. Fiji now has resident missions in all the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) except Russia, which is served by Fiji’s resident mission to Japan.
The opening of the embassy marks another milestone achievement for Fiji as we become the first island nation from the Pacific to be represented in Latin America. Fiji established diplomatic relations with Brazil on February 16, 2006. Brazil is the largest national economy in Latin America, the world’s eighth largest economy at market exchange rates. The economy of Brazil is diverse encompassing agriculture, industry and services.
Fiji’s imports from Brazil include, among others, vegetable products, coffee, prepared food stuff, beverages, spirits, vinegar, tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, chemicals, plastics, grains, footwear items, glassware, ceramic products, jewelry, iron and steel.
The opening of the embassy in Brazil brings [Fiji's] total number of resident missions overseas to 14.
Brazil To Open Mission in Fiji.
The Federative Republic of Brazil has confirmed it will reciprocate Fiji’s opening of a diplomatic mission in Brasilia by establishing its mission in Suva. Brazilian Secretary General for Asia Pacific Region, Ms Maria Edileuza Reis gave an assurance to the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama today. She expressed Brazil’s intention to open up a resident mission for Brazil in Suva as soon as possible. “Brazil is looking to further develop close cooperation with Pacific island countries and the Fiji mission in Brasilia could be a start in engaging and enhancing cooperation,” Ms Reis said.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama with the Brazilian Secretary General for Asia Pacific Region, Ms Maria Edileuza Reis
“A mechanism for political consultations is being developed between Brazil and Fiji and this is a step forward in further strengthening our bilateral relations. Once in place this will provide a way forward for our two countries in coordinating positions with regards to multilateral issues.” Commodore Bainimarama urged Brazilian companies and the Government that Fiji’s opening of its mission in Brasilia was not only intended for Fiji alone but should be seen as a window for Brazil for more trade and economic opportunities to other Pacific island States.
“Our resident presence here not only provides an opportunity to know and understand Fiji and to gain access to the Fijian market but it also gives Brazil and South Americans an entry to the wider Pacific region,” he said.
“Fiji being the hub of the Pacific small island countries is the conduit for accessing the wider Pacific region. It is for this reason that many countries like USA, and multilateral agencies such as the World Health Organisation and United Nations Development Programme use Fiji as their headquarters to service other Pacific island States.
“I would urge the Brazilian Government to take advantage of this new relationship we have now and consider the establishment of a resident mission of the Brazilian Government in Fiji.”
This mission he said could serve the other Pacific small island countries also. The Fijian Government will work on a mechanism to see that all necessary arrangements are made for the opening of a diplomatic mission for Brazil in Fiji. “The Fijian Government today commits that it will provide all the necessary assistance for the establishment of your Mission in Suva,” the Prime Minister said.
