The South Pacific island country of Fiji announced on Monday that its first embassy in Israel will open next year.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen welcomed the announcement, calling Fiji a "true friend" of Israel.

"I congratulate the Fijian government on an important decision that will strengthen and deepen the relations between the two countries,” said Cohen.

“Fiji has proven in recent years that it is a true friend of Israel in the international arena as well. The opening of the Fijian embassy brings us another step closer to the goal we set, of 100 embassies in Israel," said Cohen.

Fiji's will be the 98th embassy in the Jewish state. Most of the embassies are located in Tel Aviv, with the rest in Jerusalem including that of the USA.

"Increasing the number of embassies in Israel proves Israel's value to the world and the desire to access our capabilities in the fields of innovation, economics, and science," said Cohen.

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said that in addition to the Cabinet endorsing the move, it was agreed to reopen three embassies that were closed during the Covid-19 pandemic— in Kuala Lumpur, Port Morseby, and Washington, D.C.
 
In a statement, the Fijian prime minister said that the embassy moves would be considered next Friday in the 2023-204 national budget announcement.

Fiji has “maintained amicable relations with the State of Israel, through bilateral cooperation on peace and security, and areas such as agriculture," said Rabuka.