The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat can’t be moved out of Suva unless Fiji withdraws from the Forum.
That’s the view of political analyst and USP’s Director of Politics and International Affairs Programme Dr. Sandra Tarte.
She says Fiji is still a member of the Forum even though we’re not participating due to the suspension.
Dr. Tarte says the call by Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s for the Forum Secretariat to be moved to Apia is not new issue.
It’s been raised since the 1970’s and is resurfacing now.
“In a sense this rivalry is nothing new. Sometimes it gets stirred up by outside actors or observers making speculative comments. But, at the moment the Secretariat is here and it will stay here. But of course, if Fiji is no longer a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, that may need to be revisited.”
Dr. Tarte says Fiji was selected for the Secretariat for its central location in the Pacific.
