FIJI remains steadfastly committed to seeking sustainable democracy through a self-determined and inclusive process.
And Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has expressed renewed optimism that continual engagement and constructive dialogue on Fiji's roadmap to elections in 2014 will create an enabling platform towards the restoration of cordial relations with the governments of Australia and New Zealand.
Ratu Inoke leaves Fiji today to attend the trilateral meeting with his Australian and New Zealand counterparts — Senator Bob Carr and Murray McCully.
The trilateral meeting follows the visit to Fiji in early May of the Pacific Islands Forum's Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) and Mr McCully's visit less than a week ago.
In a statement from his office, Ratu Inoke welcomed the opportunity for the trilateral meeting to continue the constructive dialogue process with Fiji's nearest developed neighbours and apprise them of the progress being made towards constitutional reforms and democratic elections.
"Fiji was not preoccupied with the questions of whether or not to be re-admitted to the Pacific Islands Forum or whether Fiji deserved the removal of sanctions," Ratu Inoke said.
"The government and people of Fiji will not be beholden to any carrot-and-stick approach, nor distracted by debates such as whether or not Fiji has met the criteria for re-admittance to the forum. Such discussions are not conducive towards constructive dialogue," he said.
The last dedicated trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand took place in February 2010 in Canberra, Australia.