| Fiji will not be attending the sixth Pacific Island leaders meeting (PALM) in Tokyo, Japan this year. While thanking Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for inviting Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to the meeting, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said Fiji will not attend as it “is a meeting of leaders”. The Prime Minister was not invited. Prime Minister Bainimarama said despite this Fiji is committed to promoting high levels ties between Fiji and Japan as Fiji and Japan have long enjoyed an excellent friendship. He invited the Japanese Prime Minister to visit Fiji later this year to enhance these political and economic ties. Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji has recently engaged with the international community at an unprecedented level. He said the constitution consultation process towards the 2014 democratic election had started and the government remains focused on implementing the roadmap for democracy and sustainable socio-economic development. He said the government has received the full support of most members of the United Nations for the roadmap. “With the recent conclusion of the UN Needs Assessment Mission and the visit by the Forum Ministerial Contact Group, we expect to remain fully engaged with and receive the full support of all members of the international community on our way forward to democratic elections based on what is best for Fiji and its people,” the Prime Minister said. |
Categories: Asia, Fiji, Uncategorized