RECEPTION FOR OVERSEAS AND LOCAL JOURNALISTS AT ACP SUMMIT – RAFFLES GATEWAY HOTEL AT 6.30PM, 15TH JULY, 2002

The Honourable Prime Minister
Honourable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula vinaka and a very warm welcome to you all. On behalf of the Government of Fiji, may I extend a very cordial welcome, to our visiting journalists and representatives of the local media on the eve of the 3rd ACP Summit.

As you are no doubt aware, this summit is particularly important for the 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific group of nations in determining ACP solidarity in a Globalised World. Over the next few days our leaders will be focussing on the challenges facing the ACP Group of States and all developing countries.

We share in common the problems of poverty and our collective need to create an environment favourable to sustainable development.

Your tasks as journalists will be to report as widely as possible on the outcome of these issues over the next few days.

I will not tire you this evening with the details except to say that the decisions reached will chart the way ahead and impact on future negotiations such as economic partnership agreements with the European Union.

We recognise the importance of the media in informing their readers of the outcome of this summit and what it means for about a third of the world’s population.

We are quite excited about hosting the Nadi summit, the first for our heads of states and leaders of government in the new millennium. We also welcome the opportunity to renew our relationships and partnerships within the ACP group of nations.

By now I expect you will have either visited or contacted staff of the Ministry of Information at the Media Centre, close to the convention venue at the Fiji Sheraton. I would like to reassure you, on behalf of the staff, that they’re there to assist you in every way possible. I also trust you will find the facilities provided at the Centre to your satisfaction.

Meanwhile, I hope you will take advantage of our hospitality this evening. To those of you visiting our shores for the first time, I trust you will set aside a few hours of your previous time to mingle with our guests.

Nadi, of course, is the international gateway to Fiji. You will find that the town is conveniently located on our main tourist belt where most of our hotels and resorts are located. And if you like to be entertained you’ll not find the friendliness of our people lacking.

I urge you to enjoy yourselves. But I’m sure I don’t need to remind you. They say “journalists know how to play hard and work hard!”. So, I urge you to spend as much time as possible – and money! – discovering our beautiful islands. Notwithstanding that your prime responsibility is to cover this important summit. I believe this is a golden opportunity for our local media to also focus on Fiji’s perspective with regard to issues that’ll be discussed.

I just cannot resist this opportunity to promote our country. And I’m confident our visitors will leave the country knowing they’ve contributed generously to our foreign exchange! And, of course, towards the continued growth of our tourism industry.

Fiji is renowned for the friendliness of its peoples. I am sure you will discover – if you haven’t already done so – how true this is.

I wish you a productive week and, to our visitors, a safe return to your homeland, relatives and families.

Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you.