Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Hon. Rimbink Pato said today that the Government of Fiji, through its Fijian High Commission in Port Moresby in a letter dated 2nd October 2014, stated that the Fiji Government respects the decision of the PIF appointing Dame Meg Taylor to the position of Secretary General of Pacific Islands Forum and Fiji looked forward to welcoming her in Suva in November 2014.
Minister Pato stated further that he at 2:40pm [PNG time] today received a telephone call from his Fijian counterpart, Hon Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, expressing total disgust and disappointment at the Post-Courier report because he confirmed that the material contained in the Newspaper Report was inaccurate and misleading in its entirety.
“The Fijian Foreign Affairs Minister expressed clearly that there are no issues at all with respect to Dame Meg Taylors appointment and her taking up residency in Suva in connection with it on the part of the Government of Fiji,” Foreign Minister Pato said.
“Indeed her employment visa for the position, were as discussed and agreed in New York between us and he is awaiting Dame Meg Taylor and myself to advise him of a date when we will travel to Fiji in November.”
Fiji High Commissioner Tikotikoca stated in his letter, and so did Foreign Affairs Minister Honourable Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, today that the people and Government of Papua New Guinea have shown unwavering support and guidance during Fijis recent political history and contributed immensely towards Fijis return to democratic governance and accordingly the new Government of Fiji remains grateful and is basis of how Fiji values the continuing good relations between our two countries.
A copy of a statement to international media by Minister Kubuabola following our meeting in New York is attached, See link:
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-