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Fiji has invited members of the Arab League to “have a presence” among small Pacific island developing states.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said it is imperative that to foster dialogue, co-operation and interaction between the Pacific and members of the Arab League, the League or “at least one of its members” has a presence in the Small Pacific Island Developing States region.
He made the remarks while addressing the Arab League – Pacific Island summit in Abu Dhabi.
“We cannot achieve goals if we simply fall into predetermined political spheres of influence or have predetermined alignments,” Bainimarama told the summit.
“We must be prepared to step out of the norm or existing relationships and decide each issue on its merit, by using inter alia the precepts of justice and equality.”
He also said it is imperative to “recognise the point of differential between the small Pacific island developing states and the metropolitan powers in the Pacific region”.
Bainimarama said Fiji had been present in the Arab region since 1978.
“Fijian peace keeping troops served in the South of Lebanon from 1978 to 2002. We have been serving in Sinai since 1982. We currently have more than 300 troops in that contingent. We are the only blue helmets in Iraq since 2004 with a 221 strong contingent. We also have presence in Sudan and have had presence in Kuwait and Kurdistan.
”Unfortunately while we have had this presence and continue to do so in Sinai and Iraq - in fact some of my troops now speak fluent Arabic – Fiji did not develop nor pursue, for that matter, in a tangible manner, formal political, economic and cultural relations with the Arab countries.”
