Forum structure meeting put on hold

SUVA – The Australian government has decided to delay holding a Pacific Leader’s meeting to discuss the structure of regional bodies.

The Fiji Sun reports that this has been revealed by the Australian High Commission in Suva.

During last October’s visit to Fiji, the Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, proposed a meeting to look at the structure of regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum.

It was to be held in Sydney in February.

Fiji, which had been suspended from the Forum, had said it would not resume its seat under the body’s current format.

The Fiji government says Australia and New Zealand should be development partners rather than members of the Forum.

A High Commission spokesperson says it was clear after their consultations with other leaders that holding the meeting in the first quarter of 2015 would not suit everyone.