21 May 2009

Fiji sanguine over axing of sugar funding

3:48 pm on 21 May 2009

Fiji's interim Attorney-General says the cancellation of the 2009 sugar allocation for Fiji by the European Commission is not viewed as meaning a closing of all doors.

More than $US32 million is involved.

In a statement, the commission said on Monday it cancelled the funding in the absence of any indication that a legitimate government will be in place in 2009.

In response, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said the cancellation was of course the commission's prerogative.

He said Fiji views the European Commission as a committed development partner because it has been engaging and open-minded. He said Fiji wishes to continue to engage with the commission