A step closer to holding hands again
Thawing of relations was the order of the day in Auckland last week as New Zealand eased restrictions against Fiji’s interim regime.
The occasion was the commissioning of the Harish Lodhia as Fiji’s first Honorary Consul in Auckland and chief guest was none other than the Fijian Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
“I therefore wish to thank the New Zealand Government for approving the establishment of a Consulate in Auckland and Mr Lodhia’s appointment as Honorary Consul,” Ratu Inoke told attendees at the commissioning at Tulja Centre on Stoddard Rd, Mt Roskill.
Ratu Inoke and other Fiji Government officials have previously been barred from travelling to New Zealand or Australia. Ratu Inoke also met NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Auckland and later travelled across the Tasman to meet his Australian counterpart, Bob Carr.
“The idea of appointing an Honorary Consul in Auckland has been mooted for some time. Auckland is where most Fijians in New Zealand live,” Ratu Inoke said.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the appointment of Fiji’s first Honorary Consul in New Zealand is an important milestone in Fiji’s foreign relations and is part of our commitment to expanding our diplomatic network,” Ratu Inoke said.
“In the last 18 months, four new diplomatic missions were opened in Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil and most recently in South Korea. Another mission is being set up in Abu Dhabi and will open next month, bringing the total number of Fijian embassies abroad to 16.
“In addition,there are three trade commissions in Shanghai, Taipei and Los Angeles and a consulate in Sydney. A number of honorary consulates have also been established to provide depth and reach into sub-regions of countries with which we have diplomatic relations.
“As part of this commitment to global integration, Cabinet approved earlier this year that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation be authorised to formalise diplomatic relations with all Members of the United Nations (UN) who are willing and able to. Work is underway for more than 60 member states. Fiji also joined the Non-Aligned movement in May of last year.”
Ratu Inoke also told attendees that Fiji’s preparations were well underway for a return to democratic rule
“Preparations towards the formulation of a new Constitution are already underway with the appointment of a five-member Constitution Commission who will receive submissions from the public and draft a constitution by the end of the year.
“The Draft is expected to be submitted to the Constituent Assembly early in January next year with the final version to be handed to the President in March 2013.
“Elections are scheduled for September 2014 under a new electoral system. It will be the first time in Fiji’s history that its citizens will vote without being racially segregated. The eligible voting age is also reduced from 21 to 18 years. Electronic Voter Registration is currently under way and attracting very good response.
“In the preparation for the new Constitution and the elections, our diplomatic relations have helped in resourcing the required processes. On behalf of my government, I say vinaka vakalevu to the New Zealand Government for its generous contribution to the Constitutional Commission and for providing technical help towards the election,” Ratu Inoke said.
“I congratulate Harish Lodhia on his appointment as Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Auckland. His appointment is an indication of the Government’s trust, faith and confidence in one of its own sons to represent its interests in Auckland and wish him every success in this role.”
Mr Lodhia told the gathering that he looked forward to strengthening bilateral relations between New Zealand and Fiji. “This is a critical time for Fiji, both in terms of its economic and political challenges and its international obligations as a nation. As a small country in the South Pacific, Fiji and her people look forward for better neighbourly relations, closer economic and commercial ties and improved people-to-people contacts,” Mr Lodhia said. “This appointment will enable me to learn diplomacy, ways and means of fostering ties between the two countries, enhance the value of the historic relationship between Fiji and New Zealand. I would also have opportunities to interact with all of you, and gain from your expertise and experience.”
Thawing of relations was the order of the day in Auckland last week as New Zealand eased restrictions against Fiji’s interim regime.
The occasion was the commissioning of the Harish Lodhia as Fiji’s first Honorary Consul in Auckland and chief guest was none other than the Fijian Foreign Minister...
Thawing of relations was the order of the day in Auckland last week as New Zealand eased restrictions against Fiji’s interim regime.
The occasion was the commissioning of the Harish Lodhia as Fiji’s first Honorary Consul in Auckland and chief guest was none other than the Fijian Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
“I therefore wish to thank the New Zealand Government for approving the establishment of a Consulate in Auckland and Mr Lodhia’s appointment as Honorary Consul,” Ratu Inoke told attendees at the commissioning at Tulja Centre on Stoddard Rd, Mt Roskill.
Ratu Inoke and other Fiji Government officials have previously been barred from travelling to New Zealand or Australia. Ratu Inoke also met NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Auckland and later travelled across the Tasman to meet his Australian counterpart, Bob Carr.
“The idea of appointing an Honorary Consul in Auckland has been mooted for some time. Auckland is where most Fijians in New Zealand live,” Ratu Inoke said.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the appointment of Fiji’s first Honorary Consul in New Zealand is an important milestone in Fiji’s foreign relations and is part of our commitment to expanding our diplomatic network,” Ratu Inoke said.
“In the last 18 months, four new diplomatic missions were opened in Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil and most recently in South Korea. Another mission is being set up in Abu Dhabi and will open next month, bringing the total number of Fijian embassies abroad to 16.
“In addition,there are three trade commissions in Shanghai, Taipei and Los Angeles and a consulate in Sydney. A number of honorary consulates have also been established to provide depth and reach into sub-regions of countries with which we have diplomatic relations.
“As part of this commitment to global integration, Cabinet approved earlier this year that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation be authorised to formalise diplomatic relations with all Members of the United Nations (UN) who are willing and able to. Work is underway for more than 60 member states. Fiji also joined the Non-Aligned movement in May of last year.”
Ratu Inoke also told attendees that Fiji’s preparations were well underway for a return to democratic rule
“Preparations towards the formulation of a new Constitution are already underway with the appointment of a five-member Constitution Commission who will receive submissions from the public and draft a constitution by the end of the year.
“The Draft is expected to be submitted to the Constituent Assembly early in January next year with the final version to be handed to the President in March 2013.
“Elections are scheduled for September 2014 under a new electoral system. It will be the first time in Fiji’s history that its citizens will vote without being racially segregated. The eligible voting age is also reduced from 21 to 18 years. Electronic Voter Registration is currently under way and attracting very good response.
“In the preparation for the new Constitution and the elections, our diplomatic relations have helped in resourcing the required processes. On behalf of my government, I say vinaka vakalevu to the New Zealand Government for its generous contribution to the Constitutional Commission and for providing technical help towards the election,” Ratu Inoke said.
“I congratulate Harish Lodhia on his appointment as Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Auckland. His appointment is an indication of the Government’s trust, faith and confidence in one of its own sons to represent its interests in Auckland and wish him every success in this role.”
Mr Lodhia told the gathering that he looked forward to strengthening bilateral relations between New Zealand and Fiji. “This is a critical time for Fiji, both in terms of its economic and political challenges and its international obligations as a nation. As a small country in the South Pacific, Fiji and her people look forward for better neighbourly relations, closer economic and commercial ties and improved people-to-people contacts,” Mr Lodhia said. “This appointment will enable me to learn diplomacy, ways and means of fostering ties between the two countries, enhance the value of the historic relationship between Fiji and New Zealand. I would also have opportunities to interact with all of you, and gain from your expertise and experience.”
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