Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka welcomed Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel during her inaugural official visit to Fiji and the Pacific, marking a pivotal moment in the bilateral relations between the two nations. This visit comes on the heels of Fiji establishing its resident Embassy in Jerusalem, highlighting a significant advancement in diplomatic ties.
A notable achievement from this meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Fijian Government and Israel’s National Cyber Directorate. This agreement focuses on collaboration in digital security and cybersecurity, representing the first formal partnership since the Embassy’s opening, and aims to enhance Fiji’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
The MOU was executed at the Office of the Prime Minister by Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini, in the presence of Israel’s Ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific, Roi Rosenblit. Prime Minister Rabuka underscored the importance of this new collaboration, which signifies Fiji’s commitment to strengthening security protocols and expanding cooperation across diverse fields, including innovation and agriculture.
Deputy Minister Haskel conveyed Israel’s enthusiasm for deepening ties with Fiji, with discussions centering around mutual interests in trade, water management, renewable energy, health, agriculture, and empowering women economically. One of the key points was the potential expansion of agricultural training for young Fijians through existing internship opportunities at the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training.
During her visit, Haskel engaged with representatives from Investment Fiji and various ministries, emphasizing the desire to explore future development initiatives. These dialogues are anticipated to reinforce Fiji-Israel relations, potentially leading to enhanced economic, technical, and diplomatic partnerships.
This engagement signals a shared commitment to tackling global challenges and represents a positive outlook for future collaborations that can foster beneficial outcomes for both nations in multiple sectors. As Fiji continues to elevate its international standing, this new alliance points to a promising trajectory filled with impactful initiatives aimed at promoting peace and developmental growth.