Aid, relations top agenda of Bishop talks with Fiji PM

SBS World News Radio: Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has visited Fiji, inspecting damage from Cyclone Winston.

Aid, relations top agenda of Bishop talks with Fiji PMAid, relations top agenda of Bishop talks with Fiji PM

Aid, relations top agenda of Bishop talks with Fiji PM

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has visited Fiji, inspecting damage from Cyclone Winston.

Ms Bishop also detailed Australia's humanitarian assistance in the wake of last month's category five storm that left 44 people dead and caused widespread destruction.

The Foreign Minister arrived in storm-ravaged Fiji at the weekend to meet with the country's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and tour some of the country's worst affected areas.

Cyclone Winston bore down on the island nation last month and is the worst recorded in Fiji's history.

Julie Bishop says Australia's defence personnel and medical teams are continuing to provide recovery assistance, in addition to the $15 million in aid already provided for rebuilding projects and support for the country's agricultural sector.

"Australia will continue to offer our support and work with the Fiji government in restoring Fiji back to normal. One other issue that is quite disturbing is the the fact the agricultural crops have been devastated and so this season there will be a loss of income and impact on the economy. So Australia stands ready to support Fiji in helping with the economy and getting crops back in for planting."

Almost 1,000 defence personnel are building shelters, clearing debris from roads and reconstructing schools in some of the hardest-hit regions.

Australian has also provided hundreds of tonnes of resources and equipment including tents, shelter kits and medical supplies.

Julie Bishop says Australia is consulting with Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama about the areas most in need of help.

"At this stage after the initial recovery effort, he was concerned about health care, education longer term and agriculture so the three areas identified were in fact areas identified by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. And we will work closely with the authorities as we have done in the last three weeks to ensure that we provide targeted support that reaches those most in need."

Ms Bishop's official meeting with Mr Bainimarama was the first since 2014, when Australia moved to normalise relations a month after Fijian elections confirmed the military leader's transition to civilian rule.

Relations between the two countries were strained after Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was ousted in a military coup in 2006, led by then Commodore Bainimarama.

In response, Australia had imposed travel restrictions on senior members of Fiji's government, which have since been lifted.

Ms Bishop says stronger relations are a major step forward for the two countries.

"I think the partnership that has been demonstrated in the last three weeks underscores the importance in maintaining a strong and close relationship with Fiji. Our defence engagement is strong we are looking to increase trade and investment, we are supporting Fiji in development assistance. At a government to government people to people level things are certainly looking very bright."

 






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