PNG offers help for Fiji's election

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Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is greeted by PNG Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato at Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, yesterday. Picture: GERALDINE PANAPASA/ Fiji Times

PAPUA New Guinea is expected to agree to an assistance program that will ensure Fiji has elections in 2014.

PNG Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato made the comment yesterday as Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama touched down in Port Moresby for an official State visit.

"The relations between PNG and Fiji are a very good one, it's ongoing and PNG plays an important role. Fiji is the hub of the Pacific. In terms of PNG's relations with Fiji, we want to remain engaged with Fiji to ensure that it becomes an important country as it is and returns to the Commonwealth of nations and also to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat," Mr Pato said yesterday at Jackson International Airport.

"All players in the Pacific islands including Australia, New Zealand, PNG and other smaller Pacific island countries are committed to ensuring Fiji has the elections it promised in 2014."

He said he had briefed the secretary general of the Commonwealth, and PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on the way forward for Fiji.

Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary Shaheen Ali, who is accompanying a delegation of the Fiji trade investment mission, said they would create awareness of Fijian-made goods and services.

Fiji Times