The Forum Joint Working Group is now awaiting Fiji's confirmation before convening its meetings further to discuss the situation in Fiji.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said Fiji's suspension from Forum meetings does not affect any meetings of the Forum Joint Working Group aimed at ensuring Fiji's return to democracy.
However, the Secretariat said Fiji government officials have advised them that they will not be able to attend any of the meetings of the Joint Working Group due to other commitments despite many invitations from it to attend the meetings on different occasions after its last meeting on January 19th this year.
The Secretariat said the Joint Working Group is unable to convene the meeting without Fiji's participation and given that the Fiji has not formally advised of its withdrawal from the Working Group, the Forum Secretariat is ready to tell the Group after being confirmed by Fiji that its ready to re-engage in talks with them.
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Affairs Duncan Kerr said Fiji is welcome to engage with the Joint Working Group although the Fiji government is suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum.
Commodore Bainimarama had already stated that Fiji is willing to engage with any country or development partner but they should understand the country's situation and should not come with pre-conceived ideas.
Joint Working Group awaits confirmation
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