6 Sep 2011

NZ PM says consensus likely to keep Fiji out of Forum

3:29 pm on 6 September 2011

New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key, says he believes the consensus among Pacific Islands Forum countries is that the suspension of Fiji should continue.

Mr Key, who is the incoming chair the Forum, has been holding bilateral meetings with Pacific leaders today.

Mr Key says there have been calls for Fiji to be let back in the fold.

"I think the issue is the recognition of what that would take. I think there is acceptance that having established the position that the Forum did in 2009 that Fiji should be excluded, that that position should be maintained and in fact there was probably a view expressed by a number that they are anxious to see whether Frank Bainimarama will actually carry out his commitment to hold elections in 2014."

John Key says Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama has let the Forum down in the past by his failure to attend meetings in Niue in 2008 and Papua New Guinea in 2009.