Natadola meet shows the strength of the Pacific Islands

The Engaging with the Pacific Leaders meeting signifies the strength of the Pacific Islands, in its solidarity and unity for the security, peace, and progress of its Pacific People.

These are the words of Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as Pacific Island Leaders continue to arrive into the country for the meeting scheduled to begin tomorrow at the Intercontinental Golf & Spa Resort in Natadola.

Commodore Bainimarama will host a welcoming reception for the delegates tonight prior to formally addressing them at the opening ceremony tomorrow and said Fiji is optimistic of a good meeting with the Pacific leaders.

Commodore Bainimarama's address will set the tune for the meeting and for preceding speakers who will also highlight some back ground on the impacts of the changes and present some of the tangible achievements, in particular the reforms carried out in the Public Services, cut backs on government expenses and the developments in the economic front in sectors of Agriculture, Sugar and Land Reforms.

The Fiji Prime Minister said they expect a good reception towards the Fiji situation at the meeting as they have been honest, open and transparent in what they have been doing here in taking our country forward.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still awaiting confirmation on the number of delegates who will be attending the two day meeting which gets underway tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong who has arrived for the Engaging with the Pacific meeting in Fiji said none of the countries should be worried about any Pacific group trying to undermine the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum.

In an interview before leaving for Fiji, Tong said the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum has it's place but Pacific island countries can attend other group meetings if they want to.