New Zealand FM says Fiji talks important to remain engaged

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said on Friday that his latest discussions with his Fiji counterpart are an important part of New Zealand staying engaged with Fiji's administration.

McCully said it was clear from this week's talks with Ratu Inoke Kubuabola that the Fijian administration feels that the international community hasn't been listening to it enough.

"They would argue that the international community hasn't taken sufficient notice of their strategic framework for change process. I've tried to listen to that discussion and to make sure that the international community and particularly New Zealand's concerns are understood," Radio New Zealand quoted him as saying.

The New Zealand foreign minister said the meeting this week with his Fiji counterpart doesn't signal an imminent breakthrough.

McCully said the meeting covered Fiji's concerns over travel bans and other types of sanctions, concerns with which New Zealand is familiar.

In a related development, a change of stance from New Zealand toward Fiji's reforms is likely, said Fiji Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

He said this after a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart, Murray McCully on Tuesday in Suva, the Fiji Sun reported on Friday.

Ratu Inoke feels that New Zealand might reconsider its stance against Fiji. The pair is expected to meet again soon.

"Mr McCully and I will meet again in probably two weeks in Fiji, if not then during the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month," he said.

"I sense that New Zealand might be changing its position to engage with Fiji expressing genuine interest to help with our reforms agenda toward the 2014 Elections," Ratu Inoke said.

The pair met on Tuesday night and discussed a lot of pressing issues of common interest.

Source:Xinhua