OUTCOMES, Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group
PRESS STATEMENT (01/09)
19th January 2009
AGREED OUTCOMES
Pacific Islands Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji
The Working Group held its thirty-fifth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 19 January 2009, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
The Working Group reached agreement on revisions to its Terms of Reference, which take into account developments in Fiji since the original Terms of Reference were formulated.
The Working Group noted its discussions to date on the legal issues surrounding implementation of the electoral and Constitutional changes proposed by the Interim Government, and agreed that it would be most appropriate for these issues to be further discussed by Forum Leaders at their upcoming meeting in Port Moresby.
Fiji provided an update to Working Group members on the status of preparations for the proposed political dialogue forum, noting that a return visit by the UN and Commonwealth had been deferred due to Fiji’s natural disaster situation, and that the Interim Government had asked those bodies to suggest new dates for the mission.
The Working Group further discussed preparations for the Special Leaders’ Retreat to be held in Port Moresby on 27 January 2009.
The Chair expressed to the Fiji delegation, on behalf of the other Working Group members, regret at the expulsion of Working Group member and Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Ms Caroline McDonald, by the Fiji Interim Government.
The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 12 February 2009.
(Ends)
PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM - FIJI JOINT WORKING GROUP
ON THE SITUATION IN FIJI
REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE
19 January 2009
At the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Port Vila on 16 March 2007, Ministers agreed that “Depending on the willingness of the Fiji interim authorities to participate in the process, the Forum could move to the establishment of a joint working group of officials from Member countries, with Fiji, to engage with the interim government including on credible mechanisms for returning to democracy as soon as possible. The joint working group would report to the EPG [Forum Eminent Persons’ Group on Fiji].”
The Terms of Reference for the Working Group are as follows:
• To discuss and monitor the progress of Fiji toward implementation of the outcomes of the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting;
• To identify, assess and recommend credible mechanisms for returning Fiji to democracy as soon as practically possible, including the development of a roadmap to parliamentary elections;
• To explore the scope for independent and inclusive political dialogue processes, including the proposed President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) process, to address long-term issues in Fiji, and the scope for Forum members to support and assist such independent and inclusive political dialogue processes;
• To take note of significant political and legal domestic developments in Fiji and their possible significance for the restoration of democracy in Fiji, and for the creation of conditions which may lead to the relaxation of sanctions by individual Forum members;
• To identify other priority issues for action arising from the EPG recommendations;
• To identify, assess and recommend means by which the Forum may assist Fiji implement the EPG’s recommendations, including the areas of assistance noted in the outcomes of the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting;
• To oversee the provision of such assistance and monitor its progress;
• To discuss any other matters pertinent to the decisions of Forum Foreign Ministers and Leaders on the Fiji situation;
In carrying out its mission the Group will:
• Be comprised of senior officials representing the interim government of Fiji and the governments of other Forum member countries;
• Be chaired by a representative of the Forum Chair
• Meet as often as the Group deems necessary, but at least every two weeks;
• Determine its working arrangements as necessary; and
• Be administratively supported by the Forum Secretariat.
The Working Group will report on progress to the EPG through the Chair of the Working Group. The Working Group will be subject to the guidance of the EPG and Forum Foreign Ministers.
Forum Secretariat, Suva
19 January 2009
19th January 2009
AGREED OUTCOMES
Pacific Islands Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji
The Working Group held its thirty-fifth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 19 January 2009, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
The Working Group reached agreement on revisions to its Terms of Reference, which take into account developments in Fiji since the original Terms of Reference were formulated.
The Working Group noted its discussions to date on the legal issues surrounding implementation of the electoral and Constitutional changes proposed by the Interim Government, and agreed that it would be most appropriate for these issues to be further discussed by Forum Leaders at their upcoming meeting in Port Moresby.
Fiji provided an update to Working Group members on the status of preparations for the proposed political dialogue forum, noting that a return visit by the UN and Commonwealth had been deferred due to Fiji’s natural disaster situation, and that the Interim Government had asked those bodies to suggest new dates for the mission.
The Working Group further discussed preparations for the Special Leaders’ Retreat to be held in Port Moresby on 27 January 2009.
The Chair expressed to the Fiji delegation, on behalf of the other Working Group members, regret at the expulsion of Working Group member and Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Ms Caroline McDonald, by the Fiji Interim Government.
The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 12 February 2009.
(Ends)
PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM - FIJI JOINT WORKING GROUP
ON THE SITUATION IN FIJI
REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE
19 January 2009
At the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Port Vila on 16 March 2007, Ministers agreed that “Depending on the willingness of the Fiji interim authorities to participate in the process, the Forum could move to the establishment of a joint working group of officials from Member countries, with Fiji, to engage with the interim government including on credible mechanisms for returning to democracy as soon as possible. The joint working group would report to the EPG [Forum Eminent Persons’ Group on Fiji].”
The Terms of Reference for the Working Group are as follows:
• To discuss and monitor the progress of Fiji toward implementation of the outcomes of the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting;
• To identify, assess and recommend credible mechanisms for returning Fiji to democracy as soon as practically possible, including the development of a roadmap to parliamentary elections;
• To explore the scope for independent and inclusive political dialogue processes, including the proposed President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) process, to address long-term issues in Fiji, and the scope for Forum members to support and assist such independent and inclusive political dialogue processes;
• To take note of significant political and legal domestic developments in Fiji and their possible significance for the restoration of democracy in Fiji, and for the creation of conditions which may lead to the relaxation of sanctions by individual Forum members;
• To identify other priority issues for action arising from the EPG recommendations;
• To identify, assess and recommend means by which the Forum may assist Fiji implement the EPG’s recommendations, including the areas of assistance noted in the outcomes of the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting;
• To oversee the provision of such assistance and monitor its progress;
• To discuss any other matters pertinent to the decisions of Forum Foreign Ministers and Leaders on the Fiji situation;
In carrying out its mission the Group will:
• Be comprised of senior officials representing the interim government of Fiji and the governments of other Forum member countries;
• Be chaired by a representative of the Forum Chair
• Meet as often as the Group deems necessary, but at least every two weeks;
• Determine its working arrangements as necessary; and
• Be administratively supported by the Forum Secretariat.
The Working Group will report on progress to the EPG through the Chair of the Working Group. The Working Group will be subject to the guidance of the EPG and Forum Foreign Ministers.
Forum Secretariat, Suva
19 January 2009
