Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says it is important that the commitments that regional countries make to each other within the Pacific Islands Forum are not undermined.
Peter O'Neill , who is on a two-day visit to New Zealand, had discussions yesterday in Wellington with his New Zealand counterpart John Key, including the mutual desire for a return to democracy in Fiji.
Mr O'Neill downplayed the significance of his absense from inaugural Pacific Islands Development Forum in Fiji this week.
He says all regional countries need to uphold democratic principles.
"I think it's important as a region we do not have too many parallel organisations, we don't have enough of a population to manage, you know my views, it's important that we maintain the integrity of the Pacific Islands Forum because it has served us well for many, many years and PNG is a very strong supporter of that."
Peter O'Neill says Fiji's possible re-inclusion as member of the Pacific Islands Forum remains contingent on a return to democracy.
