FIJI MINISTER AT INAUGURAL MEETING IN TURKEY

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

FIJI MINISTER AT INAUGURAL MEETING IN TURKEY
Turkey seeks to strengthen ties

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, April 14, 2008) – Fiji’s interim Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is currently attending the inaugural meeting of the Pacific Island Foreign Ministers with the Turkey Foreign Minister in Instanbul.

The aim of the meeting is to develop closer relations between Turkey, an emerging donor country in the Pacific Island region to strengthen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

Turkey has expressed a desire to become a development partner in the region and this has been welcomed by all regional Ministers participating at the meeting.

Ratu Epeli had a fruitful bilateral discussion with the Turkish Foreign Minister, His Excellency Ali Babacan, and conveyed Fiji’s support for Turkey’s sincere intention to participate as a dependent participate as a development partner in the region.

Ratu Epeli also welcomed the package of assistance on offer by the Turkish Government to Less Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, which includes a special fund of $US5million for the Pacific Islands.

This will be for the implementation of small and medium scale development projects.

Ratu Epeli also submitted two renewable energy project proposals to be considered for funding by the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA).

Fijilive: http://www.fijilive.com

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