Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has extended an invitation to Fiji to partake in joint military exercises in Indonesia, marking a significant step in their bilateral defense cooperation. This invitation was made during a meeting at the Merdeka Palace with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Prabowo highlighted that Indonesia is keen to engage in joint military activities across land, air, and sea domains.
Further enhancing their partnership, President Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to fulfilling existing defense cooperation agreements. He underscored the importance of establishing a regional agricultural training center in Rakiraki, Fiji, which is projected to begin operations in the near future. This initiative is aimed at strengthening agricultural capabilities in the region.
Additionally, Prabowo encouraged Fiji to send young individuals to Indonesia for education, especially in vocational training, engineering, and agriculture. He stressed the significance of enhancing human resource capacity and fostering close people-to-people relations between the two countries.
Recognizing the historical ties, Prabowo emphasized the shared values and mutual respect between Indonesia and Fiji since their diplomatic relations were officially established in 1974. He articulated that as island nations, both countries face similar challenges and share common goals.
Prime Minister Rabuka’s visit coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia-Fiji diplomatic relations, a milestone showcasing their longstanding friendship and collaboration.
The ongoing dialogue and cooperative initiatives between Indonesia and Fiji reflect a hopeful outlook for future collaboration, particularly in tackling regional challenges and enhancing mutual understanding. Such partnerships could provide a boost to education, human resources, and infrastructure development within the Pacific region.
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