NZ/Fiji agree to appoint diplomats

The Governments of New Zealand and Fiji have agreed to appoint diplomats to their Embassies in Wellington and Suva after successful talks between the Foreign Ministers of Fiji and New Zealand at the weekend.

NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully was in Nadi last week and held talks with his Fiji counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

In a statement, McCully said the governments have agreed to an additional Counsellor position being established for Fiji in Wellington and for New Zealand in Suva, with approval in principle for Deputy Head of Mission appointments in each capital to follow soon.

McCully said a number of issues of bilateral interest to both countries were discussed in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

He said the two foreign Ministers agreed to keep in close contact and to meet as necessary in future as the New Zealand Government is making efforts to improve its diplomatic relations with Fiji.

McCully said the reduction in staff at New Zealand's embassy in Suva had put its viability under threat, while the Fiji mission in Wellington was down to one person.

But McCully stresses that this does not signal a substantive change in policy towards the Fiji government.

The announcement comes two months after Fiji expelled New Zealand's top diplomat Todd Clever from the country.

McCully said while sanctions on Fiji remains in place, today’s announcement does signal a determination to improve the relationship.