We see no reason why elections cannot be held in 2009.
These are the views of the development committee for the European Parliament after a three day visit to Fiji on concerns on the country's economic development, the sugar industry development and the broken promise that elections be held next year.
Delegation head Gabriele Zimmer through interpreter Daniel Parshley said they have had meetings with a wide range of stakeholders and are of the view that there needs to be a swift return to democracy.
Zimmer said they are also of the view that the interim government is not working towards elections.
As part of the delegation's mission to obtain a precise picture of the political and socio-economic situation of the country, they met stakeholders from the interim government and the political sector, judiciary and civil society as well as visited EU funded projects.
Funding for the sugar industry for 2008 and 2009 will remain on hold as the development committee for the European Parliament could not confirm that credible and timely preparations for elections are underway.
Delegation head Gabriele Zimmer through interpreter Daniel Parshley said they do express regret at this because a little more than 200,000 people are dependent on the sugar industry.
Zimmer stressed that the responsibility of the situation lies with Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
The EU funding for 2008 for the sugar industry was $334 million and this was put on hold after the events of December 5th with the condition that it would be released if there were genuine attempts at moving the country forward to parliamentary democracy by March next year.
Elections Can Still Be Held Next Year-EU
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