Fiji is planning to enhance its passport services abroad by potentially printing passports at diplomatic offices and using mobile biometric machines to assist Fijians living overseas. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made this announcement after a bilateral meeting with Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni.
During their discussion, Rabuka extended an invitation for Tonga to open a diplomatic office in Fiji and congratulated Sovaleni on taking up the chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
Additionally, the leaders expressed mutual concern regarding maritime boundaries, particularly in relation to Minerva Reef, which will be addressed by officials in future talks.
Concerns raised by the Fijian community in Tonga during a recent session included issues surrounding visas and passports. Rabuka shared these concerns with the Tonga delegation, acknowledging that airfares were also a topic of discussion; he noted that those issues fall under Fiji Airways’ jurisdiction.
On another front, Rabuka participated in the Forum Leaders Dialogue with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, where he emphasized the necessity for transformative policies and actions. He underlined the importance of local legislation that aligns with global objectives, particularly in the fields of biodiversity, biosecurity, connectivity, and climate change considerations.