Fiji will be inviting a founding member of the European Union, Luxembourg as a special guest for the 18th Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders summit next week.
The Chairman of MSG, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the leaders of the MSG had agreed to admit and grant observership to the Timor Leste and the Indonesia to the MSG and also to invite Luxembourg as a special guest at the summit.
Commodore Bainimarama said that their participation signals a new beginning in the MSG's relationship with potential developments partners and Fiji looks forward to increased interaction with the international community, in this regard.
Commodore Bainimarama said the "out of session" decision by the leaders follows the special meetings of the MSG Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials meeting recently in Nadi, Fiji where the observer applications by the Indonesia and Timor Leste were considered as well as Luxembourg's participation as a special guest.
HE added that the leaders' decision would now be formally conveyed to the three countries to participate at the leaders’ summit.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said he has briefed Vanuatu's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister that preparations for the MSG leaders summit is progressing well and both were looking forward to coming to Fiji.
The MSG summit officially starts next Wednesday with the trade officials meeting.
The leader's summit proper will be held at the Vale ni Bose Complex in Draiba on 31st March.
This would be the second occasion that Fiji is hosting the MSG leader’s summit.
The first was in 1997.
Story by: Sneh Chaudhry
