Indonesia and Thailand have expressed support towards the Fiji government’s efforts in returning the country to democratic rule.

Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola who is currently attending the Special Asian and Pacific Ministerial Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Jakarta, Indonesia met with his counterparts from Indonesia and Thailand yesterday.

Ratu Inoke said the two countries believe that Fiji should be allowed to carry out its reform agenda and be supported in its initiatives and the two regional metropolitan powers, Australia and New Zealand ought to change their punitive stance towards Fiji to one that is more conciliatory and facilitative to ensure Fiji's return to democracy.    

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa said that countries going through political transition must be supported and Fiji's role in the Pacific cannot be ignored.

In a show of solidarity, Dr Nataleqawa reassured Ratu Inoke that Indonesia is ready to further enrich its relations with Fiji and is exploring ways of strengthening its bilateral and technical cooperation.

In a separate bilateral, the Royal Thai's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told Ratu Inoke that Thailand understands what Fiji is going through, adding that Fiji has Thailand's sympathy and support.
 
Piroyama said at the end of the day, it is the people of Fiji who know what is best for them and they must be given the room to map their own destiny.

 
Story by: Roneel Lal