Fiji's Foreign Affairs Minister who met with his New Zealand counterpart yesterday is optimistic that relations between Fiji and New Zealand is beginning to normalize.

Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said his meeting with Murray McCully was a positive one and highlighted New Zealand's willingness to assist Fiji in its constitutional reforms. 

New Zealand Government is expected to assist Fiji with half a million dollars towards the work of the Constitution Commission.

As the Pacific Islands Forum's current chair, New Zealand would like to make a positive report on the progress made in Fiji to the next Pacific Island leaders forum meeting in Cook Islands in late August.

Kubuabola said since Fiji was suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2009, the nation's “Look North Plus” foreign policy has been revamped to establish ties with countries that understood Fiji's political and economic situation. 

Mc Cully leaves Fiji this afternoon.

Story by: Praneeta Prakash