The Foreign Affairs Minister says the closing of Fiji Missions in South Africa, Brazil and Ethiopia was a decision made by cabinet.

Minister Inia Seruiratu adds the government is reassigning its position in Dubai to take over the affairs of the African Union and multilateral organizations that are based in Addis Ababa.

He adds the Washington and New York missions will have the responsibility for the Brazil mission.

The Minister says when establishing missions, the government not only wants to look at the political gains but the trade benefits as well.

“We moved into Ethiopia, sorry South Africa in 2011 and then we shifted to Ethiopia because of the multilateral organizations and of course the presence of the African Union and of course we were moving north as we know after 2006 we were isolated and wanted to make friends so politically there were reasons why but we have to look at other benefits as well and trade is one of them.”

When questioned by National Federation Party Leader Biman Prasad on whether the government has a guideline as to how and when Fiji opens and closes embassies, Seruiratu highlighted the government has very straight forward guidelines for the establishment of missions.