Pacific Leaders including New Zealand and Australia might be talking tough about Fiji but there are signs that their stance on Fiji may have softened.
15 leaders of the forum including New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Australia’s Parliamentary secretary Richard Marles wrapped up talks with Fiji’s outsider status and its progress in recent trilateral talks a main discussion point.
In a communiqué, the leaders noted progress in Fiji to register voters and establish a constitutional commission.
They also recognized assurances from the Fiji government that there will be freedom of speech and of the media when it holds promised elections in 2014.
Meanwhile, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna says Pacific leaders will meet in Papua New Guinea in the coming months “with a view to addressing and finalizing Fiji’s re-engagement with the region.
