Minister for Defence and National Security Ratu Inoke Kubuabola yesterday met with the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

Ratu Inoke, while meeting with Minister Wells in Nadi, said Fiji will begin to approach development partners like Australia to consider funding the development of specific project sites within the Black Rock Camp model plan.

“Two weeks ago, Minister Wells and I held bilateral discussions on the Defence Cooperation Programme (DCP).

“I had invited Minister Wells to explore the opportunities and potential of setting up a Regional Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, HADR, Centre in Black Rock,” he said.

“Fiji will pursue the establishment of the Regional Peacekeeping and HADR Centre and we hope development partners will join our efforts and look at a specific component of the model to support.”

Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) in Fiji currently includes a range of assistance, including training initiatives and bilateral exercises, capacity building initiatives, and equipment and infrastructure projects.

“The Black Rock Camp is currently used for pre-deployment training and HADR evacuation purposes when the need arises.

It has a great potential to serve the nation and region. We have shown that we have forward-thinking capability in Peacekeeping which can be shared to our neighbours. We have an innovative development plan which I hope will be supported,” Ratu Inoke said.

Minister Wells was accorded a quarter guard and given a comprehensive presentation of the Regional Centre for Peacekeeping and HADR.

Source: DEPTFO News

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