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Fiji – Catherine Colonna’s visit to Suva (July 25, 2023)

On July 25, Catherine Colonna will be in Suva, Fiji. This will be the first visit to that country by a Minister of Foreign Affairs and follows President Macron’s trip to Oceania, which reflected France’s wish to become more engaged in the region.
The Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of (…)

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France and Fiji Islands

Bilateral relations

France has solid and confident relations with its neighbour Fiji (shared borders with New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna). Mr Bainimarama has visited Paris on several occations, for the 4th France-Oceania Summit and COP21 and then during the One Planet Summit – accompanied by a large Fijian delegation, he actively participated in high-level sections, notably as President of COP23.

The priorities of our bilateral cooperation are promoting francophonie and linguistic issues, vocational training, scientific discussions based around major issues in Oceania, such as climate change, environmental protection, the development of renewable energy sources and the promotion of cultural heritage, all in liaison with our communities.

Regarding the climate, France very quickly developed a strong relationship with the Fijian COP presidency and the two countries cooperate actively within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the High Ambition Coalition for Shipping Emissions.

Military cooperation with Fiji is focused on French participation in surveillance of the Fijian EEZ, shared training exercises, section exchanges, stopovers for boats and teaching of French in military context. Development of francophonie is also a key aspect of France’s relationship with Fiji. By the end of 2016, there were a thousand individuals learning French in Fiji including 700 school pupils and students.

Economic relations between France and Fiji are getting stronger with the presence of several French businesses in the country, through permanent sites (Total, Pacific Petroleum, Bred, Bolloré Logistics, Accor, Suez), or the development of business streams (with Thales, Alcatel, Vergnet, Airbus, ATR, Schneider Electric and Peugeot). The first Franco-Fijian “Business Dialogue” was held on 10 May in Suva in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji.

Updated: 14 June 2018