PRESS STATEMENT - 13 February - MEETING OF THE FORUM MINISTERIAL CONTACT GROUP (MCG) ON FIJIPort Vila, Vanuatu

The Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) on Fiji will meet on 14 February at the Vanuatu Reserve Bank Conference Room in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The Group last met on 31 May 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand.

The MCG is chaired by the Honourable Sato Kilman, Prime Minister of Vanuatu. In attendance at tomorrow's meeting will be the Hon Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, of Australia; the Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of New Zealand; the Hon Don Polye, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Immigration, of Papua New Guinea; the Hon Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, of Samoa; and the Hon Apisai Ielemia, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour, of Tuvalu.

Guided by Leaders' continuing commitment to maintain dialogue and enhance engagement with Fiji, the MCG Chair, Hon Sato Kilman has invited the Fiji Government to make a presentation at the meeting. Fiji will be represented by Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

In addition to hearing Fiji's views, the MCG will discuss recent developments in Fiji to assist in the preparation of a report to Leaders prior to the next Forum Leaders' meeting in Auckland from 6-9 September 2011. As requested by Leaders at their 2010 Port Vila Forum Meeting, the MCG will also discuss matters relating to Fiji's participation in regional trade and economic processes and deliberations, including PACER Plus negotiations.