Fiji, New Zealand FMs to have first consultation since 2006

Fijian Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola will meet his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully later this week, the Fijian government announced Wednesday.

"This will be the first New Zealand-Fiji foreign ministers' consultation since 2006 and will include senior officials of both sides," Fiji's Ministry of Information said in a statement.

The two foreign ministers had met in Suva in May.

During the upcoming consultation, the two ministers are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of significance to their countries.

An update on Fiji's general election progress and the multinational observer group are expected to be a central part of the consultation, according to the Ministry of Information, adding that other issues likely to be on the agenda are the development cooperation arrangements between the two countries, preparations for the third international conference on small island developing states to be held in Samoa next month, as well as regional institutions and interests.

The Fijian government, which came to power after the 2006 coup, has announced that the country's general election will be held on Sept. 17.