30th July 2012: The foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, Senator Bob Carr, the Hon Murray McCully and Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, held their trilateral meeting in Sydney today.

The meeting built on the positive momentum generated by the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) visit to Fiji earlier this year which was attended by Senator Carr and Minister McCully and hosted by Minister Kubuabola.

Minister Kubuabola provided an update on progress in Fiji towards the 2014 democratic elections, including preparations for the constitutional consultations and electronic voter registration.

The Ministers had constructive discussions on progress to date with Senator Carr and Minister McCully raising concerns about media freedoms and human rights.

Minister Kubuabola reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring an environment in which free, fair and inclusive elections can be held.

The Ministers further agreed to exchange high commissioners to ensure channels of dialogue between the respective countries were open and effective and further agreed to consider more flexible implementation of travel sanctions, on a case-by-case basis.

Senator Carr, Minister McCully and Minister Kubuabola reaffirmed that Australia, New Zealand and Fiji would continue to work together closely to support Fiji’s return to democracy.

The last such trilateral meeting was held in Canberra in February 2010.