EU invites Fiji for consultations

The European Commission has invited Fiji to come to Europe for consultations on finding a compromise solution to the situation in Fiji.

European Commissions Pacific Development Director Roger Moore told Radio New Zealand that they are now awaiting a response from Fiji to the invitation, but there was keen interest in the suggestion.

Moore said he thinks Fiji realizes there are large sums of money involved and that’s important grant money for Fiji's development and he thinks it’s worth making that extra effort in order to find a way forward.

Moore said it is possible to find a solution soon, as all the political forces in Fiji agree on electoral reforms although there are disagreements on how the government is going on about it.

He said the EU would look to New Zealand and the Commonwealth for inspiration on the way forward for Fiji.

The EU last week extended its trade and aid sanctions to Fiji until March 2010 which will see about $85 million in development aid and $300 million in funds to restructure the sugar industry remain on hold.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, who made a presentation at the EU/ Pacific ACP meeting in Nadi last week is currently in Turkey and could not be reached for a comment.