1 Aug 2014

PNG PM sees Fiji keeping to its word

12:55 pm on 1 August 2014

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says he's satisfied that the Fiji government is keeping to its word about elections in September.

Peter O'Neill's comment comes at the 45th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders summit in Palau.

Fiji has been suspended from the Forum since 2009 when its military-led government rejected a Forum deadline for a return to democracy.

Holding free and fair elections is the key criteria for Fiji's re-inclusion in the Forum.

Mr O'Neill says Fiji remains a key member of the Pacific community and the Forum members don't want it to be on the outer any longer than is neccessary.

"So far they have kept to their word. They have committed to that process and I believe that the election outcomes will be acceptable to the international community and once that has been achieved they will of course be welcomed back into the Forum, and we look forward to their coming back."

Fiji has said it will only re-join the Forum if Australia and New Zealand quit the organisation.