Media release
10 December 2008
Visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group
Today I will travel to Fiji to take part in the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) for further talks aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law to Fiji.
The MCG was established in March 2008 and comprises the Foreign Ministers of Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, New Zealand and Australia.
On its previous visit to Fiji in July of this year, the Contact Group found that the only thing preventing an election in Fiji was the political will of the Fiji Interim Government.
That visit also reaffirmed the willingness of Pacific Island Forum members to assist Fiji to prepare for an election. Consistent with that, Australia has in the past provided significant resources to support such preparation.
Recent statements by the Interim Government indicating it does not intend to hold elections by March 2009, are deeply disappointing.
At their meeting in Niue in August, Forum leaders condemned these statements and called for the Interim Government to meet its faithful and unconditional undertaking to hold an election by the end of March 2009.
This week's visit provides an opportunity for the Contact Group to have frank and open discussions with the Fiji Interim Government.
At the conclusion of its visit, the Ministerial Contact Group will provide a report to Pacific Islands Forum Leaders for a future Leaders meeting on Fiji, scheduled to be held in Papua New Guinea.
It is critical that Fiji return to democracy and a politically stable future.
That is why Australia, with our Forum partners, stands ready to provide further assistance to Fiji to hold a free and fair election
Media inquiries
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555