Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is the new Minister for Provincial Development, Indigenous and Multi Ethnic Affairs after the holder of the portfolios, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was today appointed Fiji's Vice President.

Ratu Epeli was sworn in as Vice President by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo under the new Legal Order.

Ratu Epeli was the Army Commander until the 1987 coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka. He is also a former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Fiji's former Roving Ambassador and a former Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was also a former Deputy Prime Minister in the interim government appointed by President Iloilo after the 2000 coup.

He then became the Speaker of the House of Representatives and served in that position from 2001 to 2006. Ratu Epeli is also the former Interim Minister for Foreign Affairs, Provincial Development and Multi Ethnic affairs.

Also present at the swearing-in of Ratu Epeli Nailatikau as Vice President at Government House this morning were his wife, Adi Koila Nailatikau, Commodore Bainimarama and his ministers, Archbishop Petero Mataca, High Commissioners of India, Malaysia and PNG and Ambassadors for China and Kiribati.