28 Aug 2012

Iran to establish formal diplomatic ties with Fiji

1:04 pm on 28 August 2012

Iran and Fiji are to declare the start of formal diplomatic ties during this week's meeting of the Non Aligned Movement in Tehran.

Pacnews reports Fiji's foreign minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola is due in the Iranian capital today.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific, Abbas Araqchi, says his Fiji counterpart will attend a ministerial meeting during the sixteenth summit of the grouping.

The Non Aligned Movement comprises 120 member states, the largest grouping outside the UN.

Fiji became the Movement's 120th member two years ago, when Commodore Frank Bainimarama said Fiji wanted to develop relationships with countries outside the southern Pacific sphere.