The European Commission said they are ready to help Fiji to return to constitutional rule thus enabling full engagement.

The European Commission's Directorate General for Development Christian Leffler during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said the Commission does not believe in isolation and has assured it will continue to support Fiji in the attainment of a strong coherent society.

Leffler said that though the situation changed since the conclusion of consultations in 2007, there was a need to find a way for an early engagement.

He stated that the Commission always believed in continuous engagement and dialogue with Fiji and it is aware that Fiji was going through a difficult phase.

Ratu Inoke then briefed Leffler that there had been a number of significant movements in the last 12 months and gave examples of the standardisation of a common identity for all Fiji citizens as "Fijians" which was no mean feat given the long standing strong sensitivities with this issue.

Ratu Inoke told the commission that the Prime Minister has also held a series of consultations reaching to the grassroots throughout the country.

He revealed that the response has been extremely positive with increasing numbers of provisional councils accepting and supporting the roadmap.



Story by: Ana Naisoro