The visiting Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group is optimistic that talks progressing in the next two days will be positive.

MCG chair and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully who arrived into the country earlier today thanked the Fijian Government for accepting to meet the MCG as part of engaging with Fiji.

The meeting is an opportunity for members of the Ministerial Contact Group to see firsthand the reforms undertaken by the Bainimarama government as the country prepares for a new constitution next year and elections in 2014.

Fiji’s 2012 Economic Plan and economic progress are also on the agenda.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is out of the country but McCully says they are happy to meet the Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed – Khaiyum.

Meanwhile Australia’s Foreign Minister Bob Carr arrived this afternoon to join colleagues from New Zealand, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa.

Bob Carr told FBC News its far too soon to talk about lifting sanctions against Fiji.

“That’s too far off, this is about exploring with other Nations of the South Pacific Forum, the timetable, the process for the constitution process and the return to democratic norms including free elections in Fiji, I won’t be raising the issue of sanctions.”