Fiji will pull out from trade agreements
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Suva
Fiji will pull out from trade agreements
14 August 2009
Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji will pull out of the Trade Agreement negotiations.
He says this is due to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders decision to exclude Fiji from the PACER Plus talks.
Last week government stated Fiji is Considering withdrawing completely from the PICTA and PACER agreements.
In an interview yesterday Bainimarama said Fiji will withdraw.
“Yes, we will pull out of the trade talks. I think we have made it clear. The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Cairns last week decided to exclude Fiji from the trade ministers consultations on the framework for the PACER negotiations. That is to take place before November. SO –because we are excluded – we cannot participate. So – we will withdraw from these trade talks.”
The Forum however has stated Fiji will be fully informed of the negotiations on the PACER Plus Agreement but Bainimarama remains adamant.
“If we are not included in the talks – we withdraw from the talks. They don’t have to come and talk to us anymore.”
