Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy says Australia stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Fiji in the fight against transnational crime and drug trafficking as both countries move closer to formalising the Vuvale Union partnership.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Suva alongside Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Conroy described the proposed Vuvale Union as a natural extension of the long-standing relationship between Fiji and Australia.
“It’s a great privilege and pleasure to be here with Minister Wong to renew our relationships and our commitment to the government and people of Fiji,” Conroy said.
“And it was indeed a great privilege to meet with the Fijian Cabinet to discuss the Vuvale Union.”
Conroy said the partnership reflected the deep ties shared between the two nations.
“The Vuvale Union is a natural progression of the close relationship between our two countries and our two peoples.”
“Our countries are only divided on one thing, and that’s on the playing field.”
“Besides that, we share deep values and commitment. A commitment to an Ocean of Peace. A Pacific Ocean where all humans, all members of the Pacific family, can have prosperity, stability and security.”
He said the new arrangement would help give practical effect to the Ocean of Peace concept championed by Rabuka.
“And the Vuvale Union will be a practical embodiment of that and I want to pay tribute in particular to Prime Minister Rabuka who has been the driving force of this concept of an Ocean of Peace.”
Conroy said Rabuka had pushed the concept strongly across the Pacific and internationally.
“A concept that he has been promoting and articulating for many years now, not just in Fiji, in Australia through a seminal speech to our National Press Club and to our think tanks, and throughout the region through the Pacific Island Forum.”
“And to see that reach agreement with all Pacific Leaders at last year’s PIF, was a historic achievement and is a credit not just to Prime Minister Rabuka, but to the people of Fiji and confirmation yet again of your role as regional leaders for the Pacific.”
Conroy said security cooperation would become one of the key pillars of the Vuvale Union.
“One critical pillar will be the security element and a commitment to embodying the Ocean of Peace concept.”
He warned that transnational crime remained a growing regional threat and said Fiji had become increasingly exposed to drug trafficking activities.
“Part of it will be a commitment to combatting transnational crime.”
“This a shared threat throughout the region, but obviously transnational crime, the threat present has been magnified in Fiji, in recent events.”
Conroy also delivered a direct message of support from the Australian Government.
“And I’d like to be crystal clear with you and through you to the people of Fiji, the Australian Government stands shoulder to shoulder with Fiji in combatting transnational crime and stopping drug trafficking in the Pacific.”
“Let me repeat that. The Australian Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Fiji and the Rabuka Government in combatting transnational crime and eliminating drug smuggling in our region.”
He said both countries would continue working together to disrupt criminal operations across the Pacific.
“This is a priority of the Vuvale Union and we must work together to combat and disrupt criminal operations.”
“We are using all tools available through a coordination at a national, bilateral and regional level.”
Conroy highlighted existing Australian support already being provided to Fiji’s maritime and border security operations.
“We are already, prior to the establishment of the Vuvale Union, providing support to Fiji, including improved capacity to detect threats through the provision of two Guardian-class patrol boats and the $83 million (US$59.93 million) investment in the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre, to support Fiji’s maritime capabilities.”
He also highlighted joint operations between Fiji Police and Australian authorities targeting methamphetamine trafficking.
“We are already working together to disrupt the drug trade including a joint operation with Fiji police, Operation Nautilus, that has seized over 4 tonnes of methamphetamine.”
Australia is also expanding support for Fiji’s border control systems.
“And we’re already working together to secure Fijian borders, through investing in a container examination capability at key ports.”
“And we are announcing today that we are providing financial support for Fiji to acquire an integrated border management system to track people of interest.”
“Transnational crime is not just about illegal goods like drugs, it’s about transnational criminals and we are committed to investing in systems to help that tracking,” he said.
Conroy said the Vuvale Union would further strengthen Fiji’s law enforcement, border protection and public health response capabilities.
“Looking ahead, the Vuvale Union will further strengthen Fiji’s capabilities across interdiction, policing, legislation, prosecution and importantly, health.”
He said Fiji would continue playing a leading regional role in tackling organised crime.
“We will support also, Fiji’s leadership in bringing forward a stronger regional approach to better tackle the threat, including before it reaches Fiji.”
“As the names suggest, transnational crime is not limited to one nation and we need a regional approach, and yet again Fiji will be a regional leader in combatting this issue.”
Conroy also announced that Fiji and Australia would co-host the first Pacific Police Ministers Meeting later this month.
“The first ever Pacific Police Ministers meeting will be co-hosted by Australia and Fiji in Fiji on 19 May.”
“It will have a focus on transnational crime, and I thank Prime Minister Rabuka for hosting the first ever Pacific Police Ministers meeting and for opening it.”
Conroy said the Vuvale Union would strengthen long-term regional cooperation and security.
“ The Vuvale Union is the natural progression of our close partnership.”
“It will provide greater peace and stability and prosperity for our two peoples, and it will be in the decades to come, bedrock for further Pacific cooperation.”
“So yet again I want to thank Prime Minister Rabuka for his leadership and vision, his government and the people of Fiji for their commitment to Pacific stability and prosperity,” he said.
