The New Zealand government has expressed disappointment with Fiji's plans to withdraw from talks with the Pacific Islands Forum working group that's trying to help Fiji return to democracy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, said it would be disappointing if Fiji did withdraw and urged Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama to continue dialogue with the Forum and to continue working towards the undertaking he gave forum leaders last year in Tonga to hold elections in March 2009.

Meanwhile Peters adds that he is also doubtful whether the Interim Government will uphold their promise of holding elections next March.

He told TVNZ, that as each month goes by they're more concerned that Fiji's interim government is not meeting timelines and obligations.

Peters said that this is an extremely serious matter because Bainimarama appears to be turning his back on commitments made to Forum Leaders.

This follows comments made by Bainimarama to European Union representatives last week that an election might be delayed in order to first put in place changes to the electoral system. He also said that the elections will be delayed if all the stakeholders do not participate in the forum. Fijilive, 23/06/08.