26 Feb 2007

Australian Foreign Minister says Forum ministers will discuss EPG report on Fiji in March

11:34 am on 26 February 2007

Australia's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, is in Wellington today for talks with his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, with pacific issues high on the agenda.

Mr Downer's visit follows that of the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, a fortnight ago, as part of regular bi-lateral meetings.

Mr Peters says the talks are an opportunity to take stock of New Zealand and Australia's relationship, which is in excellent shape.

Issues in the Pacific are set to dominate, particularly the Solomon Islands Regional Assistance Mission and the coup in Fiji

Alexander Downer says the EPG report will be discussed in the Vanuatu capital, Port Vila, the middle of next month:

"We're going to have a meeting of Pacific Forum Foreign Ministers on 16th of March and we will look at the Eminent Person's group report."