Australia and NZ are not island nations - Bainimarama

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says he will not participate in the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting until the issue of  undue influence of Australia and New Zealand is addressed.

While opening the 1st Regional Workshop on the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) Agreement at Novotel, Lami this morning, Bainimarama says Australia and New Zealand are not island nations.

Bainimarama believes that they are more development partners such as the European Union, China, India, South Korea, Indonesia and the rest.

The Prime Minister says one of the biggest issues that the two countries should be assisting the Pacific Islands is on climate change.

Bainimarama says he wants to make it clear once again that they are not putting forward the Pacific Islands Development Forum as a competitor for any existing organisation but are providing a space for everyone to have their opinions heard, which has not been the case with the Pacific Islands Forum.

He stresses that none of this affects the bilateral relations with the Australians and New Zealanders, who Fiji continues to regard as friends despite the grave disappointment at their stance on climate change.

Bainimarama adds the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat will continue to be headquartered in Fiji.