Visa free travel between Russia and Fiji is expected in the future to promote tourism and the Russian Federation is also offering to support Fiji’s contributions to peacekeeping missions around the world.
Vijay Narayan reports:
Concrete next-step proposals will now be created as Fiji formally strengthens its ties with the Russian Federation.
Following the a half-day of talks with Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola yesterday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Pacific region is today the priority of foreign policy for the Russian Federation.
As Lavrov continues his meetings with the Pacific Foreign Ministers gathered in Nadi, Kubuabola said Fiji is the hub of the Pacific but it is a part of the global community.
He said Fiji must expand its horizons to new friends and opportunities.
While responding to a question about the new US policy focus on the Asia Pacific region, Lavrov said the region is becoming a powerhouse of the world economy and with economic influence comes political influence.
He said the interests witnessed in the region create some risks to security referring to nuclearisation on the Korean peninsula among other issues.
In his statement after the first high level visit from a Russian official, Lavrov said that we should all approach security in the region in an open way on the basis of respect for each other to ensure against ‘creating problems’.
He said Russia and the Pacific have a common understanding that the priority of the day are the programs and projects that will drive growth and make the economics of the Pacific region even more independent.
The Russian Minister said Russia seeks to find partners in the region and it would like to cooperate in a mutually beneficial manner in order to promote Russia’s ties with the Pacific.
Lavrov stressed that Russia is not making friends against anybody.
The meeting continues in Nadi today.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Fiji and Russia to strengthen ties
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when