The government is yet to receive the formal communique of the EU's decision to extended its trade and aid sanctions to Fiji until March 2010.

Permanent secretary at the Prime Minister's Office  Lieutenant Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said government cannot comment on the European Commission's decision to invite Fiji to come to Europe for consultations on finding a solution to the situation in Fiji, as they are not aware of what is in the letter that was conveyed to Acting President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, following the decision to extend sanctions.

Tikoduadua said they will need to view the letter first to see what sort of compromise is being offered by the EU.

European Commissions Pacific Development director Roger Moore told Radio New Zealand that they are now awaiting a response from Fiji to the invitation, but there was keen interest in the suggestion.

Moore added he thinks Fiji realizes there are large sums of money involved and that is important grant money for Fiji's development, and he thinks it is worth making that extra effort in order to find a way forward.

He added it is possible to find a solution soon, as all the political forces in Fiji agree on electoral reforms although there are disagreements on how the government is going on about it.

He said the EU would look to New Zealand and the Commonwealth for inspiration on the way forward for Fiji.

The EU extended its trade and aid sanctions to Fiji until March 2010 which will see about $85 million in development aid and $300 million in funds to restructure the sugar industry remain on hold.