UPDATE:
At the conclusion of the meeting, Australia foreign minister Stephen Smith said there was a need to enter into close discussions with Fiji and he agreed members of the MCG ought to visit Fiji to see for themselves.

"If we don't engage, there is no way of influencing things in the future," Stephen Smith said.

New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully agreed.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat issued a statement, noting: "The MCG received a report on Fiji from the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum. The MCG expressed concern at the political and economic challenges facing Fiji but there was a clear commitment from all Ministers to continue to offer Fiji the Forum's assistance in addressing its challenges. MCG members highlighted the importance of Fiji establishing an inclusive and open political dialogue process in order to advance sustainable progress back to parliamentary democracy."

Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, provided a presentation to the MCG outlining the Fiji government's views. He also expressed a commitment to maintaining engagement with the Pacific Islands Forum, describing it as an important regional partner for Fiji's return to parliamentary democracy.

It is expected that members of the MCG will travel to Fiji in time to report back to the Pacific Islands Leaders when they gather at a summit in Port Vila, Vanuatu in August.

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