Formal talks between Prime Minister John Key and Fiji's Frank Bainimarama appear to have inched along the relationship between Fiji and New Zealand rather than been the circuit-breaker Mr Key had hoped for.
Mr Key and Mr Bainimarama met in Suva this morning but afterward had little to announce beyond progress on a double tax agreement and agreeing to work together more on the Cyclone Winston recovery. Mr Key has also invited Mr Bainimarama to visit New Zealand. He reiterated his desire for Mr Bainimarama to fully participate in the Pacific Islands Forum again but there was no indication Mr Bainimarama had agreed to do so.
The night before, Mr Bainimarama had delivered a stinking rebuke at New Zealand's response to the coup and ongoing criticism of Fiji's Government over its actions in New Zealand.
Mr Bainimarama made it clear he had no intention of giving in to any of the requests Mr Key had advertised ahead of the meeting, including lifting a ban on some New Zealand media for their post-coup coverage of Fiji or agreeing to attend this year's Pacific Islands Forum conference.
Mr Key had hoped to restore the relationship to pre-coup levels. Although Mr Bainimarama spoke of "redefining" the relationship and the long friendship between the two countries, he said that would not happen unless New Zealand was willing to treat Fiji as an equal. He also signalled Fiji would not fully return to participating in the Pacific Islands Forum unless New Zealand and Australia stepped back from the forum so smaller states were more influential.
