27 Sep 2013

Marshalls invites Fiji leader three weeks after Forum summit

3:04 pm on 27 September 2013

The Fiji information ministry says the Marshall Islands president, Christopher Loeak, has invited the Fiji leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, to visit Majuro.

The invitation was reportedly made in New York and follows three weeks after Mr Loeak took over as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum at the organisation's annual summit in Majuro.

Fiji continues to be suspended from the Forum because Commodore Bainimarama reneged on his 2007 promise to hold elections in 2009.

The Fiji regime has since promised elections for next year after which Fiji may be re-admitted to the Forum.

The information ministry says although Fiji wasn't at this year's Forum summit, Commodore Bainimarama was pleased to have been able to support the Marshall Islands efforts to host the meeting by providing training for protocol officers.

It says the two leaders also discussed a review of the Air Services Agreement between the Marshall Islands and Fiji.