Australian and Fijian military movements between the two countries will increase and be made easier by an agreement signed in Fiji this week.
The SOFA or the Status of Forces Agreement in Nadi on Thursday is one that Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said it doesn't sign with many countries.
A clear effort to maintain Australia's presence in Fiji and the region, the agreement allows military to be stationed in either country, wear uniforms freely and enjoy easier customs and immigrations processes.
Fiji's defence minister Inia Seruiratu said the SOFA would facilitate greater exchanges of personnel. He said it enhance the capacity and capability development ambitions of the RFMF.
Blackrock Photo: Australian Defence Frce
"But it will also strengthen the interoperability between RFMF and the Australian Defence Force," Seruiratu said. "The significance of the agreement that will be executed today is something I believe will greatly elevate the professionalism and standard of service delivery of the RFMF in their conduct of the Constitutional role they are charged with."
Criminal and civil jurisdiction implications for visiting forces are also a feature of the SOFA.
Marles, who is on the tail end of a 10-day tour of the region, told Fijian media the SOFA would provide for the stationing of Australian forces at Fiji's Black Rock.
The once notorious Republic of Fiji Military Force's training camp was upgraded with $AU22.9 million in funding and reopened in early 2022 as the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp.
Featuring the Pacific's largest humanitarian relief supplies stockpile, Black Rock now also includes United Nations standard medical and training facilities.
