Fiji’s suspension likely to be lifted

Pacific leaders meeting in Palau have agreed to lift Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum if the country’s elections in September are deemed to be free and fair.

The announcement came after the leaders official retreat at the Pacific Islands Leaders summit in Koror.

Earlier, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister had recommended the Forum lift its suspension of Fiji after September elections.

Murray McCully said all indications were that Fiji’s elections in mid-September will be free and fair.

The Pacific leaders have requested the Ministerial Contact Group to make the suspension lifting recommendation following the election in Fiji based on an assessment by the Multinational Observer Group and any other factors the MCG wishes to take into account.

Leaders expressed their expectation that a positive report by the MCG about Fiji’s election would form the basis for a recommendation that Fiji’s suspension from the Forum be lifted so that it can participate in all Forum activities, including the meetings of the Forum Leaders.

Fiji was suspended from the Forum in 2009 in the wake of a military coup which saw Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama installed as interim Prime Minister.

Leaders welcomed and confirmed the future hosts of the Forum as follows:

Papua New Guinea in 2015; the Federated States of Micronesia in 2016; Samoa in 2017; Nauru in 2018 and Tuvalu in 2019.