Fiji economy picking up - Somare

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said the Fiji economy is picking up and the country is like any other democratic country in the world.

While speaking in the Solomon Islands, Sir Michael said everything in Fiji is slowly returning to normal with foreign reserves up dramatically.

Fiji announced late last month that foreign reserves stood at a record $1 billion.

Sir Michael also said the meaning of military dictatorship in the Pacific is different from the definition of military dictatorship in the western world.

He has called on the Pacific Islands Forum countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to treat Fiji more leniently.

He also said Fiji's Melanesian neighbours will work to end opposition by Australia and New Zealand to the current Fiji government.

Sir Michael Somare said Australia and NZ should accept Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

His comments follow talks with his Solomon Islands counterpart, Doctor Derek Sikua.

He noted that even United States President Barack Obama congratulated Fiji's Prime Minister during the independence anniversary last week.

Sir Michael said the United Nations, European Union and International Monetary Fund will be visiting Fiji in the coming weeks to re-establish ties with Fiji, while Chinese and Japanese aid assistance is continuing as normal.

The PNG Prime Minister went on to say that Fiji needs time to get out of its political mayhem.

Sir Michael feels that although Fiji has been suspended from the Forum and the Commonwealth, it is heartening that Australia has formally accepted Fiji's High Commissioner in Canberra.