Bainimarama Sums Up Engaging with the Pacific Meeting

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has billed the 2nd Engaging with the Pacific meeting a success. He said they had managed to cover a lot of ground and there were many common challenges that required them to consolidate their energies and efforts to resolving them as regional grouping. The two-day meeting at Nadi’s Tanoa International Hotel ended yesterday.  In respect to their individual challenges, he said they only needed to assist each other to realise the true potential of respective countries.  Fiji shared her progress on the roadmap to elections and while there were commendation of the policy initiatives they have undertaken, Commodore Bainimarama said he had also noted and appreciated their feedback.  One such feedback was that information on the reform process in Fiji was not being represented accurately or not at all through mainstream media overseas. “We will, through our roving ambassador engage with you on a more direct basis for the dissemination of information on our progress,” Commodore Bainimarama said. Other issues highlighted included the matter of self determination in French Polynesia/Tahiti Nui as they seek decolonisation. He said their session on Day One also ended on a high note with the presentation on the vast opportunities that existed in Papua New Guinea and how the region could partner with the people of PNG for mutual benefit and co-operation. Also presented to the delegates was another opportunity for regional co-operation through the Fiji Volunteer Service. Commodore Bainimarama thanked the delegates for their participations, views and wisdom in supporting the EWTP meeting. Fiji Sun http://www.fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=61351