Fiji has never opted out or disengaged in PACER Plus negotiations - Koya

Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya has told parliament that Fiji has never opted out or disengaged in PACER Plus negotiations.

Koya says they do not consider the conclusion of the PACER Plus legal text in Brisbane last week without Fiji’s presence to be an end game for negotiations.

He says the agreement is not signed and they will continue to negotiate and demand for Fiji’s rights until they are satisfied that PACER Plus is in Fiji’s interest and does not constrain its potential for development.

Koya also revealed that they were not able to attend the meeting as the notice came very late and it clashed with some equally important national and international assignments that were confirmed way back.

He says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be meeting Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull on COP23 issues next week and will also clearly lay out Fiji’s position on PACER Plus once again.

PACER Plus is an umbrella agreement between members of the Pacific Islands Forum including Australia and New Zealand which provides a framework for the future development of trade cooperation.