Suva: The Kingdom of Bahrain has agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations with Fiji and the signing of the Joint Communiqué will be held between the Foreign Ministers of the two respective countries at the margins of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola confirmed that he has received formal communication from the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson conveying Bahrain’s wishes to formalize formal recognitions with Fiji.
“The announcement by Bahrain to establish formal relations with Fiji is a significant exhibition of trust and respect and demonstrates real aspiration by our two respective countries to show the world of their desire to acknowledge each other’s sovereign existence and wish to enhance bilateral cooperation” Ratu Inoke said.
Earlier this year, Fiji decided a major shift in its Foreign Policy to join the Non Align Movement. Following this pronouncement, Cabinet decided that Fiji commence establishing formal diplomatic relation with all countries and states it has yet to formalize diplomatic relations with.
“With changes and shift in the balance of power from a bi-polar a multi polar world, it is in Fiji’s long term interest that we befriend all nations” said Ratu Inoke.
“As a Small Island Developing States, Fiji needs to cultivate an atmosphere where we are trusted and respected not because of our size but by the firmness and decisiveness of our foreign policies”.
Bahrain now join the increasing number of Middle Eastern countries that have established diplomatic relations with Fiji.