Roadmap to democracy commended at Engaging with the Pacific meet

Leaders and representatives of the Pacific Island countries attending the Engaging with the Pacific meeting have commended Fiji’s Roadmap to Democracy.

Organizing committee Chairman Sila Balawa said it is a good sign that the representatives from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, French Polynesia, the Kanaks of New Caledonia, Tonga, Timor Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia are satisfied with the progress Fiji has made.

Balawa said the overwhelming response by the Pacific Island countries shows that Fiji is heading in the right direction.

A detailed presentation on the implementation of the People’s Charter for Change in Fiji was made to the leaders and delegates in the meeting in Nadi today.

While opening the meeting earlier today, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the People’s Charter, approved by nearly 65 percent of the Fijian population, is the guiding principle for policy formulation of the government.

He also said the Charter provides the fundamental principles for the new Fijian constitution.

The Prime Minister said in the lead up to the September 2014 elections for parliamentary representation, the Fijian government will focus on lifting the living standards of all Fijians.

He said the focus is also on sustained economic growth, modernizing the laws, removing corruption, improving access to justice, implementing the legal and moral basis of a common and equal citizenry and ensuring that the new constitution will enshrine the values and practice of one person - one vote.

Meanwhile, PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman arrived into the country in the last hour for the meeting.

It has also been confirmed that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Phillip will arrive in Nadi tonight.

He had earlier said that he would not be able to make it to the Engaging with the Pacific meeting however the confirmation has now come through that he will attend the meeting tomorrow.

The special Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting will also be held tomorrow.

The Engaging with the Pacific meeting is being hosted by Fiji just days before the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum which will be held in Auckland next week.


Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima