31 Oct 2014

Australia and Fiji restore full diplomatic ties

5:15 pm on 31 October 2014

Australia and Fiji have jointly announced they will exchange High Commissioners.

Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Julie Bishop

Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Julie Bishop Photo: supplied

The statement was issued in Suva shortly after Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop, held talks with her Fiji counterpart, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

It says while Fiji will conclude its selection of a High Commissioner to Australia shortly, Margaret Twomey will soon take up the position of Australian High Commissioner to Fiji.

She was appointed to the post in late 2012 after Ratu Inoke agreed with Ms Bishop's pre-decessor, Bob Carr, to restore full diplomatic relations, but Fiji then reportedly refused to accept her.

Ms Bishop and Ratu Inoke also say the two sides are looking forward to resuming a full defence and regional security relationship.

They say they also agreed to discuss regional architecture to ensure it remains relevant to political, economic and social needs.

Fiji has said it won't rejoin the Pacific Islands Forum if Australia and New Zealand remain members.