27 Aug 2010

Fiji signals more talks with NZ imminent

2:15 pm on 27 August 2010

Fiji's interim foreign minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, says he may again meet the New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully, in Fiji in two weeks following their meeting in Suva in Tuesday.

Ratu Inoke has told the Fiji Sun if not then, they will meet at the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month.

He says he senses that New Zealand might be changing its position to engage with Fiji and expressing a genuine interest to help with the interim regime's reform agenda.

Relations have been strained, in part because of the Fiji regime's objections to travel sanctions imposed by Australia and New Zealand on those who joined the 2006 military overthrow of the elected government.

Mr McCully says there has been no breakthrough yet, adding that New Zealand has got to get the relationship into a better space.

The Fiji regime insistence to remain in power for another four years has led to Fiji's suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth.