SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji foreign affairs officials are expected to discuss the request to India for assistance in pursuing its roadmap to democracy and general elections in a meeting next month.
Fiji’s interim Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau made the request to the Indian External Relations Minister Pranab Mukerjee last month.
The information ministry said Ratu Epeli briefed the Indian government on Fiji’s plans to return to democracy.
“It was an opportunity to seek assistance from the Indian government in certain areas that the Fiji government needs urgent support. These specific areas include provision of high judicial officers toward the presidential tribunal set up to investigate the chief justice, military training for members of the military, training in forensic investigation for officers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, assistance toward the electoral reform in Fiji, cooperation in regional and multilateral for negotiation of an economic partnership agreement with India, and trade and investment promotion.”
Ratu Epeli said there was no doubt that the high level political leaders in the Indian Government are well and fully briefed on the Fiji situation.
“They are ready and willing to engage with Fiji and to assist us in our efforts to return the country to normalcy.”
Fiji’s foreign affairs permanent secretary, Ross Ligairi, and other officials discuss the request and other bilateral issues in their meeting in India early next month.
It will be the second Fiji/India foreign officials consultations in India early next month.
Ratu Epeli said the meeting is held every 12-18 months to review the status of development assistance provided by India to Fiji and other bilateral issues between the two countries.