Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has stressed to the EU Delegation, which is on a mission to Fiji the necessity to reform the electoral systems before the elections are conducted.

The delegation known as TROIKA, met with Commodore Bainimarama this morning on the interim government's commitment to holding democratic elections in March 2009, in line with Fiji's commitments to the EU which was agreed upon in April 2007.

Bainimarama also informed the mission of the gradual progress on Fiji's return to democracy and the factors that could delay the elections.

He highlighted that one source of delay which is that all key stakeholders do not come on board to participate in the proposed forum Dialogue process to be facilitated by the UN and Commonwealth to discuss electoral reforms.

Bainimarama told the EU delegation that it is unclear how long the Forum process will take, when it gets underway to arrive at a broad census on the changes to the electoral system.

The interim Prime Minister stressed that the interim government's fulfillments to these commitments can only be realized with constructive dialogue and engagement from all interested parties in Fiji, the international community, our bilateral and multi lateral partners and the forum.

Bainimarama also informed the TROIKA mission on the work of the National Council for Building a better Fiji and the progress in formulating the People's Charter.

The delegation also met with interim Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and interim Finance Minister and Fiji Labor Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry and FLP President Jokapeci Koroi earlier this afternoon.

This afternoon the group will hold discussions with the NCBBF Secretariat and is expected to meet other political party leaders, including ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase tomorrow afternoon.