Fiji, September 10, 2018.- During his stay in Fiji, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rogelio Sierra Díaz, completed an extensive program that included meetings with the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Acting Foreign Minister, former Major General Ioane Naivalurua, the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar, the Minister of Defense, former Major General Ratu Inoke Kuababola, and the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Yogesh J. Koran.
The Fijian authorities acknowledged the positive relations between Fiji and Cuba, which date back to 2002. Moreover, during the talks, the importance of opening a diplomatic mission of the Caribbean island in Suva was highlighted, regarding the mission as a useful and closer point of contact for bilateral relations and the links with the rest of the Pacific Islands in general.
The authorities also discussed the presence in Cuba of 32 young Fijians who study Medicine and their integration into the health care system of their country once their studies are completed. The cooperation potential in the areas of health and sports was highlighted after receiving a request from Fiji to have Cuban health care specialists and sports coaches. Furthermore, the coincident positions on the effects of climate change and Cuban support to Fiji's presidency of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP23) were emphasized.
The meetings held evidenced the gratitude of the Fijian authorities for the cooperation that Cuba offers in this region of the world, regarded as a role model of South-South cooperation between small island states.