The European Union stressed that Fiji now has a window of opportunity for a possible new political dialogue after the EU extended its trade and aid sanctions against Fiji until the end of March 2010 at a meeting in Brussels yesterday.

An EU statement said that the EU has decided to extend existing appropriate measures for Fiji and the decision has been conveyed to Acting President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau in a letter yesterday.

The letter stated that if new consultations result in substantial commitments from Fiji, the EU is committed to an early, positive review of these appropriate measures.

The EU said if the situation in Fiji does not improve, then further losses of development funds for Fiji are set to continue.

The appropriate measures currently in place are designed to assist Fiji in the transition; the development cooperation would gradually be resumed if Fiji was to fulfill its commitments concerning human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.

The decision means about $85 million in development aid will remain frozen as well as $300 million in commitment of EU funds to restructure Fiji's sugar industry.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ratu Epeli Ganilau said he will comment later today on the matter.