NZ and Fiji agree to improve relations

Submitted by TemoL on Tue, 12/01/2010 - 12:33pm

The decision follows talks between McCully and his Fijian counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Fiji's tourist centre Nadi over the weekend.

"A number of issues of bilateral interest to both countries were discussed in a positive and constructive atmosphere," McCully said in a statement.

Relations between New Zealand and Fiji have been at a low ebb since Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama took over government.

New Zealand has been among the most strident critics of the current government and both countries expelled the heads of their respective diplomatic missions in each other's countries in November last year.

Mr McCully said the two governments have now agreed to appoint new counsellors in their respective missions and decided in principle that new deputy mission heads should be appointed.

He said there had been "ongoing communications" with Ratu Inoke in recent months and the pair had agreed to keep in close contact and to meet "as necessary" in future.