WELLINGTON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand navy will deploy an inshore patrol vessel and crew to help protect Fiji's fisheries for six months from May, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said Thursday.
Brownlee and Fijian counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola announced the deployment at the third South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting in Auckland.
"This is an excellent opportunity for New Zealand to partner with Fiji on maritime security and protecting fisheries - important issues not only to Fiji, but also to New Zealand and the wider region," Brownlee said in a statement.
"Fiji is an Island nation, like New Zealand, and therefore protecting our maritime resources is extremely important."
Kubuabola welcomed the New Zealand vessel supporting Fiji to patrol its exclusive economic zone and protect its regional fisheries resources.
"The Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fijian fisheries personnel will work closely with the New Zealand crew on board during the course of the deployment to Fiji," Kubuabola said in the statement.
Both ministers also acknowledged the positive discussions at the South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting and the agreement on a number of important areas to the region.
