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Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji is comfortable not being a part of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Bainimarama is reported to have told New Zealand based radio station; Radio Tarana, that whether Fiji is re-admitted to the Forum is up to the leaders.
“I am happy with the country’s current status,” he said.
“What is important is that we have bi-lateral trade with the rest of the Pacific Island nations.
Now that we are out of the Forum and we have already started that last week in our ‘Engaging the Pacific’ meeting,” he said.
Bainimarama said Fiji’s objective was to brief the Pacific neighbours and friends on the development with the implementation of the roadmap.
This he said was appreciated by the ten Pacific countries that participated.
The Pacific Islands Forum leaders will meet in Vanuatu next week for their annual summit.
Fiji was suspended from the 16-country regional bloc last year following announcement by Bainimarama to have elections in 2014.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key earlier this week said the Pacific Islands Forum will reaffirm its opposition to Fiji government when they meet in Vanuatu.
By Rachna Lal
Source: Radio New Zealand
