The Foreign Affairs Ministers of Australia and New Zealand have made it clear that they want a concrete timetable from Fiji to ensure that elections take place by March next year.
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters who met in Auckland yesterday to discuss issues relating to Fiji say they will try to get a confirmation from the Fiji delegation today on the real progress made towards democracy.
Smith said it is important for Australia and New Zealand to work together to assist Fiji during this time.
The Australian Foreign Minister stresses that they will tell Fiji that bad behaviour cannot be rewarded and there needs to be clear signs that Fiji is set to return to democracy.
Winston Peters said they will make sure that everything is done for Fiji to go to the polls in March 2009.
The Pacific Island Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting takes place today in Auckland, where Fiji and its situation 6 months on from the Forum Leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa last October, will be discussed.
Interim Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on his way out of the country yesterday said they have been regularly briefing Suva based Diplomats and Heads of Regional and International organizations about the developments taking place at home and the progress been made.
In a statement he added the Auckland meeting is another opportunity to brief the Forum on the progress been made in honoring the commitments made to the regional and international community about Fiji's return to democratic rule.
Ratu Epeli said the group expects a good reception towards Fiji's situation as the interim government had been honest, open and transparent in what they have been doing in taking the country forward. Ratu Epeli is accompanied by Permanent Secretary at the PM's Office Parmesh Chand, PS for Foreign Affairs Ross Ligairi and PS for Justice Pio Tikoduadua.
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AUS/NZ Want Concrete Timetable
