Australia, NZ restore Fiji diplomatic ties

30 Jul 2012, 7:29 pm   -   Source: AAP

Foreign Minister Bob Carr has met with his Fijian and New Zealand counterparts to restore full diplomatic relations with the Pacific nation.

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Australia and New Zealand have restored full diplomatic ties with Fiji following assurances from the Pacific nation that it will hold democratic elections.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Fiji and New Zealand - Senator Bob Carr, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Murray McCully - met in Sydney on Monday to discuss the elections, planned for 2014.

They agreed that the countries would exchange high commissioners to "ensure channels of dialogue between the respective countries were open and effective", the ministers said in a joint statement.

During the meeting Mr Kubuabola provided an update on progress in Fiji towards the elections, including preparations for constitutional consultations and electronic voter registration.

Senator Carr said he had raised concerns about media freedoms and human rights in the country but Mr Kubuabola reiterated his government's commitment that free, fair and inclusive elections could be held.

The three ministers agreed to consider more flexible implementation of travel sanctions on a case-by-case basis, Senator Carr said.

Relations have been strained between the countries since Fiji's government was overthrown in 2006 by a military coup staged by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, now Fiji's prime minister.

Fiji was subsequently suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2009, with a contact group established to continue dialogue with the regime.

The foreign ministers said the reestablishment of diplomatic ties on Monday followed "positive momentum" generated by the contact group during a visit to Fiji earlier this year.

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