The Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group said it is encouraged by the steps taken by Fiji on election planning.
After holding their meetings in Suva, Group Chairman and New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully said they feel that Fiji is putting in place processes required for elections.
He said they welcome the assurances by the Fijian government that the constitutional consultation process will be open to all, there will be no media restrictions in relation to the consultation process, elections will be free and fair and there will be no parliamentary seats reserved for the military.
McCully said the information provided give the Contact Group a sense that Fiji is a country in transition.
The Forum Foreign Ministers have also reaffirmed the Forum’s long standing offer to support Fiji=s return to democracy, including the provision of appropriate assistance.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
