Tuesday, January 12, 2010

[pima.nius] NZ, Fiji agree to improve relations

11:13 AM |

January 12, 2010 10:54:20 AM

The governments of New Zealand and Fiji have agreed to improve relations, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.

AFP reports the decision follows talks between McCully and his Fijian counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Nadi last Friday and Saturday last week..

"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 the December 2006 takeover.

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

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.

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

Comments are being sought from Kubuabola. 

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