Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister says it's important for the region that Fiji remains fully involved in regional trade and economic discussions despite its political scrap with Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking ahead of today's 18th Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders summit in Suva, Don Polye says it is essential from a regional perspective that help is provided for Fiji's economy to grow.
Mr Polye says from what he sees in Fiji, people are happy, tourism is thriving and investment is growing.
But he believes excluding Fiji from discussions around trade frameworks such as PACER Plus is counter-productive in efforts for growth.
"Papua New Guinea cannot be influenced by Australia or New Zealand or any other countries nor should the MSG influence that other way. Pacific people, Melanesian people, we make decisions based on our own values and traditions and its the councils that influence that decision making."
Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister, Don Polye.
