3 Jun 2009

Australian foreign minister visits Tonga and Samoa

12:55 pm on 3 June 2009

Democracy and combatting the global recession will be on the agenda for talks between Australia's Foreign Minister and his counterparts in Tonga and Samoa.

Stephen Smith is making his first visit to the Pacific Island states.

Mr Smith told ABC that Fiji's failure to return to democracy and Tonga's pledge to improve its political system for elections next year will be discussed.

He says Australia has large aid programmes with the two countries and strong people ties.

"There are quite large communities of both Samoan and Tongans in Australia, so of course we are going to have a conversation about Fiji and also about the run up the Pacific Islands leaders conference in Cairns in August which of course Australia is very pleased we are hosting."

Stephen Smith also says they will also see whether there's anything that Australia can do in terms of assistance as Tonga moves towards an election.

He says whether that's any technical or other support they can give in the run-up to the election or any assistance they can give in the actual conduct of the election.