KENEKO ISLAND, Marshall Islands, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Leaders from the Pacific Islands Forum member countries have welcomed the release of Fiji's new Constitution on Aug 22, saying it was a vital step toward free and fair elections. <\/p>\n
The 44th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting ended Thursday at Keneko Island, Marshall Islands by adopting the Majuro Declaration, Xinhua news agency reported. <\/p>\n
On the latest developments in Fiji, the Pacific leaders noted the Forum's ongoing efforts to support Fiji's return to parliamentary democracy and reiterated its intention to remain engaged with Fiji. <\/p>\n
Fiji was suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum in May 2009 after failing to meet a deadline to announce a general election date. <\/p>\n
Pacific leaders also welcomed the report by the Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) on Fiji, which noted the country has continued to make progress towards holding national elections by September 2014. <\/p>\n
The leaders also expressed their commitment to lift Fiji's suspension from the Forum after free and fair elections in accordance with guidance from the Special Leaders' Retreat in 2009 and expectations set by the MCG, and looked forward to inviting Fiji back to the Leaders' Meetings. <\/p>\n
-- BERNAMA <\/p>\n
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Pacific Islands Leaders Welcome Release Of Fiji's New Constitution<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" KENEKO ISLAND, Marshall Islands, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Leaders from the Pacific Islands Forum member countries have welcomed the release of Fiji's new Constitution on Aug 22, saying it was a vital step toward free and fair elections. The 44th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting ended Thursday at Keneko Island, Marshall Islands by adopting the Majuro Declaration, Xinhua news agency reported. Continue reading