SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji’s interim foreign affairs minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says the country’s priority now for the country is to normalize diplomatic relations with its allies in the region including Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing in at Government House this morning, Ratu Epeli said the nation needed to move forward and there was no need to dwell in the past.
“We have been down this path on two occasions in the past. We can learn from what the minister for foreign affairs trade at that time did, so we have something to work on,” he said.
Ratu Epeli said Australia and New Zealand’s hard stance against Fiji would force the country to strengthen ties with Asian countries, especially China.
“Well we’ve gone north in the past on other occasions and we will probably do the same this time. But Australia and New Zealand are our neighbors and we can’t be neighbors and can’t be friends. We have a long standing relationship between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and other Pacific island countries and we will build on that.”
The former military commander said sanctions imposed by foreign countries would not deter the interim government in moving the country forward.
“That’s part of the game. Those countries have the right to do that. We have to abide by it but at the same time, we will be talking to them and seeing what we can do about it”.
Interim Commerce Minister Taito Waradi said their main task now was to create investor confidence and rebuild the economy.
“I think the ministry of commerce, investment is going to determine how quickly we can rebuild the economy.”
“First thing I would like to do is to sit with ministry officials, take a good look what is on the ground and map our way forward from there. Importantly what we need to do is to take stock of what we have and you map out those details from there.”
Suva lawyer Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is the nation’s interim attorney-general and minister for justice.
He was among the eight interim cabinet ministers sworn into office by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo at Government House.
“I accepted this and with the interest of the nation at heart. It’s not just attorney generals position; it also includes electoral reform and Anti Corruption and Ministry of Justice, too.
“I think it’s an important area for us to move forward. As the president said in his mandate, we need to move forward and in order to have elections, truly democratic elections we need to have electoral reform, we need to have proper electoral systems in place to be able to have those elections. Obviously as a lawyer it is important for me that we stay in the path of the constitution”
Kaiyum said there was no specific time frame set for the next general election but may only be called once the electoral reform process has been completed.
“The dates will be guided by the fact that we need to have these electoral reforms in place, proper electoral systems in place, proper boundaries drawn up, with proper census drawn out. I think once all of that is mapped out then there will be a road map.
He has also called on the Fiji Law Society to support the interim government and help the country return to democratic civilian rule.
“What I would like to say is that we need to move forward. Put aside our personal differences, move ahead with a lot of dignity, a lot of professionalism rather than mud slinging and look at what is best for the nation within the ambit of the constitution within the legal boundaries.
Also sworn in was former environment minister in the Laisenia Qarase government, Poseci Bune who takes up the public service portfolio. Dr. Jona Senilagakali, the former caretaker prime minister was sworn in as minister of health.
Businessman and former head of the Fiji Institute of Technology, Netani Sukanaivalu was sworn in alongside former senator Manu Korovulavula, who is interim transport minister.
The Commerce Ministry portfolio went to Taito Waradi, the President of Fiji Chamber of Commerce.
Former senator, Adi Laufitu Malani becomes the new minister for women, social welfare and housing.
It’s understood those sworn in so far were among the 31 people short listed by the military after last year’s December 5 coup.
Army spokesman Major Neumi Leweni confirmed that eight more ministers would be sworn in tomorrow but declined to reveal their names.