This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the island nation’s military leader.
Since the deterioration of relations between Fiji and Australia, there were threats of downgrading of high commissions.
Two months ago, Bainimarama warned his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, that he would downgrade Australia’s High Commission in Fiji if they failed to recognize Fiji’s High Commission in Canberra.
The Australian government agreed to the appointment of an acting high commissioner in Canberra and a consul-general in Sydney in June last year.
Kamlesh Arya was then appointed as acting high commissioner from August 6, last year. However, last week brought the news that Rudd’s government now recognizes the Fiji High Commission.
“This is one of the instances where we have seen other countries starting to recognize our government,” Bainimarama said.
“They have now upgraded our High Commission in Canberra and this is a very good sign,” he said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola received official notification on the matter and informed Bainimarama.
He said this was not the only instance where he had seen recognition of our island nation from the international community and global organizations since he took up power in 2006.
He gave as an example the Fiji Day message from U.S. President Barack Obama.
“This is the first time for the U.S. to send such a message,” he said.
Obama reiterated his country’s support for Fiji in its pursuit of a brighter future.
Bainimarama also referred to the support voiced by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank during a meeting in Istanbul Turkey, last week.
But the World Bank said it’s not about to extend loans to Fiji.
Bainimarama last week told Fiji media that the International Monetary Fund and World Bank expressed support for Fiji at the agencies annual meetings in Turkey.
He said the agencies also back the structural changes his government has made and plan to visit early next month for further dialogue.
He said the World Bank and the IMF will map out detailed programs to assist Fiji with its structural reforms.
He said this will help it tap into global expertise and funding at concessionary rates.
But the World Bank’s Sydney office said while officials will travel to Fiji they are doing so to get a better sense of the situation there.
The office said the agencies will continue to closely follow the lead taken by Australia and New Zealand over the regime.
It said there are no immediate plans to provide loans to Fiji.
