12 Jan 2010

New Zealand and Fiji improve diplomatic relations

12:00 pm on 12 January 2010

The Governments of New Zealand and Fiji have agreed to an additional Counsellor position being established for Fiji in Wellington, and for New Zealand in Suva.

There is also approval in principle for Deputy Head of Mission appointments in each capital to follow soon.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully met his Fiji counterpart, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, in Nadi on Friday and Saturday.

A number of issues of bilateral interest to both countries were discussed in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

The face-to-face meeting followed communications between the two ministers over recent months.

The two agreed to keep in close contact and to meet as necessary in future.

Last year, Fiji expelled New Zealand's top diplomat, with Wellington retaliating.

It was the third time in two years that the interim regime in Suva sent New Zealand's top diplomat home.