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Fiji–Tuvalu relations are diplomatic and other relations between Fiji and Tuvalu. The countries are neighbours in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean; Tuvalu lies directly north of Fiji, and they share a maritime border. Tuvalu is by far the smaller, lesser developed and more remote of the two countries, and is therefore dependent on its close relationship with Fiji. The two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1979, the year after Tuvalu's independence from the United Kingdom. As of 2014, their relations are described by the Fijian government as "warm and friendly".〔("Fijian PM commends new Tuvalu PM" ), Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, 14 August 2013〕 ==History== The countries were first linked together as British colonies in the late 19th century, when they both came within the jurisdiction of the British Western Pacific Territories, the administrative centre of which was in Fiji.〔("HE Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli - Tuvalu Governor General Dinner Speech" ), Fiji Government, 24 February 2014〕 After the Second World War, Tuvalu's first doctors were trained at the Fiji School of Medicine, while some of the Tuvaluans from the overcrowded atoll of Vaitupu moved permanently to the island of Kioa, in Fiji, where they and their descendants still live.〔 Fiji remains Tuvalu's gateway to the outside world. The only flights to and from Funafuti International Airport are via Suva, on Air Fiji.〔("Travel to the Tuvalu Islands" ), Timeless Tuvalu, Government of Tuvalu〕 In addition, Fiji "is by far Tuvalu’s largest source of imports".〔 When the Commander of Fiji's military, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, took power in Fiji in a coup in 2006, Tuvalu did not join countries such as Australia, New Zealand or Samoa in condemning the new regime. Tuvalu remained supportive of Bainimarama's statements that he would restore democracy on his own schedule.〔(”Calls for Fiji to be restored to Pacific Forum” ), Stuff.co.nz, 4 September 2011〕 Akuila Yabaki, of the Citizens' Constitutional Forum in Fiji, noted that Tuvalu had little choice in the matter, as it was heavily dependent on maintaining good relations with Fiji.〔("PNG leader lends support to Bainimarama” ), Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 23 July 2010〕 In 2013, Sir Gordon Ward, a British national serving as Chief Justice of Tuvalu, was a denied a visa by the Fijian government to transit via Fiji on his flight to Tuvalu. Ward had previously sat as a judge in Fiji's Court of Appeal, before resigning in protest against the 2006 coup. As there are no flights into Tuvalu other than through Fiji, Tuvalu's Chief Justice was unable to enter Tuvalu. Fiji remained unresponsive to Tuvalu's attempts to resolve the matter, although the incident was said not to have severely affected bilateral relations.〔〔("Visa issue between Chief Justice Ward and Fiji Government says Tuvalu PM" ), ''Islands Business'', 22 January 2014〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Fiji–Tuvalu relations」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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