Forum wrongly using its influence - PM

Unity and solidarity, not isolation, is the message coming through from the Engaging with the Pacific meeting in Nadi.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama today revealed that he believes the Pacific Islands Forum has wrongly used its influence to bar Fiji from top level participation in a major forum.

As Commodore Bainimarama called for unity amongst the Pacific island countries to assist small island developing states while opening the meeting, he said the Forum policy is no longer sustainable as Fiji needs to be part of the negotiations on the economic partnership agreement with the EU and the implementation of the Pacific Island Countries’ Trade Agreement.

He said it is time for Fiji to be accorded full participation in the Pacific branch of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group.

He said some of the neighbouring countries are now beginning to realize what others have known for a long time - that Fiji’s stated objectives are not just words, they are commitments that the government has been steadily meeting since their first day in office.    

Commodore Bainimarama said this is a great moment in Fiji’s history as it builds a fully inclusive and democratic society.

He highlighted the massive voter registration drive and the constitution consultations underway.

Commodore Bainimarama said the principles that guide Fiji’s roadmap are a secular state, a common national identity, the removal of systematic corruption, an independent judiciary, elimination of discrimination, good and transparent governance, social justice, one person one vote one value, the elimination of ethnic voting, proportional representation and a voting age of 18.

He said these principles are unassailable.

Top leaders and senior officials from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kazakstan and Kosovo are attending the meeting.

This meeting is being held ahead of the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum which will be held in Cook Islands next week.

Fiji will not be part of that forum as it remains suspended from it.

Meanwhile, Cook Islands Foreign Ministry’s Danny Williams said it is clear that Fiji is on its path to democracy in 2014.