The Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Fiji established diplomatic relations at a ceremony at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in New York today. Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdallah Yahya Al-Mouallimi, and his Fijian counterpart, Ambassador Peter Thomson, signed a protocol and joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two Governments.

Mr. President,

Fiji aligns itself with the statement delivered by President Anote Tong of Kiribati on behalf of PSIDS.

Mr. President

Foreign Minister, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola delivered Fiji’s national statement at the United Nations Security Council today.  The occasion was the Security Council’s debate on peace and security challenges facing the small island developing States.  The debate was presided over by New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Murray McCully, serving in New Zealand’s capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of July.