Commonwealth visit to Fiji Islands

“Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma is sending senior Commonwealth political official, Ms Juliet Solomon, to Fiji Islands. This is in response to a request from the interim Prime Minister for Commonwealth support in facilitating the proposed President’s dialogue forum.

Ms Solomon will hold consultations with the interim government, political parties, civil society, international partners and other relevant stakeholders. The Commonwealth is committed to working with the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations and other partners in assisting Fiji to find a political way forward.

Ms Solomon will report to the Secretary-General on how the Commonwealth might take forward its engagement with Fiji. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Fiji, Sir Paul Reeves, is not visiting at this time.

Fiji is currently suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth following the military takeover in December 2006.”

Statement attributed to Mr Eduardo del Buey, Spokesperson and Director, Communications and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.