Australian and Fijian Foreign Ministers to Meet

I will hold talks with my Fijian counterpart the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Kaliopate Tavola, today and tomorrow in Victor Harbor, South Australia.

The timing of our annual Foreign Ministers' talks is particularly relevant - just two weeks after the Pacific Islands Forum in Apia where Fiji played a constructive role in promoting the regional reform agenda.

The warm relationship between our two countries is reflected in the wide range of issues on the agenda - from political, security and industry matters to development cooperation and regional reform.

We expect to follow up on Prime Minister Howard's announcement at the Pacific Islands Forum of a seven-year extension of the SPARTECA-TCF duty-free scheme to assist the Fiji textile, clothing and footwear industry.

We will also discuss practical measures to improve the economic efficiency and sustainability of the region's aviation and shipping sectors following the recent endorsement by Forum Leaders of new Principles on Regional Transport Services.

Australia and Fiji are working closely on policing and transnational crime issues to help ensure that the Pacific does not become a staging ground for illegal activity. The success of this cooperation was evident in June when our two forces conducted an operation to break up a large drug production facility in Suva.

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 - Julie McDonald (DFAT) 02 6261 1555