McCully pledges ongoing diplomacy with Fiji

Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully discusses the Fiji situation with the media at Parliament today. Photo / NZPA

The Government has committed to improving diplomatic relations with Commodore Frank Bainimarama's interim Fiji Government.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced the National-led Government would improve relations after talks with Fiji's interim foreign minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

Mr McCully said he met Mr Kubuabola in Nadi last Friday and Saturday.

"A number of issues of bilateral interest to both countries were discussed in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

"The face-to-face meeting followed ongoing communications between the two Ministers over recent months," Mr McCully said in a written statement.

"The Governments have agreed to an additional Counsellor position being established for Fiji in Wellington, and for New Zealand in Suva, with approval in principle for Deputy Head of Mission appointments in each capital to follow soon."

He said the two Foreign Ministers agreed to keep in close contact and to meet as necessary in future.

Labour Foreign Affairs spokesman Chris Carter said he congratulates the Government on the move.

He said constructive dialogue with Fiji is positive.

Mr Carter said the former Labour-led Government had tried to commit Commodore Bainimarama to an election date "but he keeps moving the goal posts".

He said the Labour Party will do all it can to assist the Government, including using its extensive contacts amongst the Indo-Fijian community in New Zealand.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama took power in a bloodless coup in 2006, since then the press has been censored and the self-appointed Government has dismissed the country's Court of Appeal and abolished its constitution.

- NZ HERALD STAFF