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Selwyn & Wallace: Fiji Meets Pacific Leaders
KiwiFM Audio: Wallace Chapman & Selwyn Manning – Fiji Fronts Up To Pacific Leaders In Auckland
What is the meeting all about and what will be contained it the Ministerial Contact Group's report to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in August.
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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