Fiji and Solomons on Forum agenda [1]
Monday, October 15, 2007 - 16:33. Updated on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 15:30.
by Linny Folau
The situations in Fiji and in the Solomon Islands are two of the main issues that will be discussed in the Forum Island Leaders Meeting opening tomorrow, October 16, in Nuku'alofa.
Greg Urwin, the Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat, told Pacific journalists on October 12, there has been a good deal of interest around the region concerning the situation in Fiji.
He said the Forum has been quite critically involved in supporting the return to democracy in Fiji by working jointly with them for a timeline for the conduct of elections.
"The other main country issue concerns the Solomon Islands and the Regional Assistance Mission RAMSI. Last year the leaders directed us to conduct a review of RAMSI, this has been done and we will report on that to the leaders and seek guidance on what needs to be done," he added.
He clarified that Tonga on the other hand is not an issue in the Forum meeting.
"The fact is Tonga has not been brought to the Forum as an issue. Fiji and the Solomons are different because in both cases they came to the Forum asking for support."
Tongan kava
The Secretary General said on other main issues, the Tongan Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele wanted to discuss the situation of kava.
"The Marshall Islands will bring up the issue of radio contamination, Kiribati will want to talk on Meteorological services and Weather in the region and the Samoan Prime Minister wants to address sports."
Other main issues to be addressed are the Pacific Plan and the Development of the Proposal for Regional Institutional Framework, which is the means in which various regional organizations work with one another.
Small Island States
The Smaller Island States Leaders Meeting began at the new Convention Centre this morning chaired by Nauru's President Ludwig Scotty.
Members include Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Niue and the Cook Islands and Nauru.
This is to be followed by the Pacific ACP Leaders Meeting consisting of 14 leaders excepting New Zealand and Australia.
On October 16, the Tongan Government officially welcomes the Forum leaders in a ceremony at Pangai Lahi. A plenary session follows, and there will be opportunity for Associate members French Polynesia and New Caledonia and observer countries such as Wallis and Futuna and Timor to state their views, Mr Urwin said.
Vava'u retreat
The leaders would travel to Vava'u on October 17 for the Leaders Retreat at the Puataukanave Hotel, "this where the real business takes place and leaders can raise any matter they wish."
The leaders return to Nuku'alofa on October 18 for the Post Forum Dialogue with its 14 Partners, and a range of issues from Climate Change to tourism will be discussed followed by a special dialogue with France.
On Friday, October 19 a similar exercise with the European Union will be held and will deal with PICTA and other Development Assistance programs in the region.
"Forum has become quite a big exercise and there is a lot of interest as more people want to come on the sideline to talk to us, but it's good as it is attracting interests in the countries," he said.