Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama [left] at the reception for the National Day of Kiribati at the Pacific Islands Forum Fale in Suva [Source: Fijian Government]

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama attended a reception for the National Day of Kiribati at the Pacific Islands Forum Fale in Suva yesterday.

The Republic of Kiribati marked 40 years of independence since 1979.

Fiji’s cooperation with Kiribati is captured in the Natadola Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation that was concluded in 2010 during the first “Engaging with the Pacific” meeting.

The two countries share a longstanding friendship and relations pre-dating the establishment of their diplomatic relations on 12 July, 1979.

High Commissioner of Kiribati David Ateti Teaabo acknowledged Bainimarama and commended him for his leadership during COP 23.