Fiji welcomes Australia\'s removal of travel sanctions

The Fijian government said Monday it is "pleased" with the decision of the Australian and New Zealand governments to lift all existing sanctions against Fiji. "The Fijian government has always believed that the sanctions were ill conceived and served only to discourage talented and qualified individuals from serving the Fijian people," Fiji's Ministry of Information said in a statement. "We have always maintained that our three governments can work together if it is on the basis of a mutual respect for national sovereignty and on equal terms." "The removal of sanctions is a positive step towards restoring normal relations between our governments. The relations between our peoples have never weakened," the statement said, "We now look forward to working with Australia and New Zealand on a number of areas of shared interest." Earlier in the day, the Australian and New Zealand governments announced that all sanctions against Fiji were removed. "The Australian government has today lifted all travel restrictions on Fiji. This includes restrictions applying to the Prime Minister (Voreqe Bainimarama), ministers, military personnel and their family members, government appointees and the judiciary, " Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement. "Australia welcomes the opportunity to support Fiji's return to democracy within the Pacific family. We are confident that lifting travel restrictions will lay a framework for closer dialogue and cooperation with Fiji on bilateral and regional issues. Australia will work with the government of Fiji and other donors to support Fiji's Sept. 17 election preparations," said Bishop. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the progress that Fiji is making towards holding free and fair elections deserves recognition from the Pacific region and international community. "As a consequence of these developments New Zealand will be ending all the remaining travel sanctions we have in place against Fiji. This is a continuation of our policy to support the Fiji's return to democratic rule and reflects our close cooperation with Australia on matters relating to Fiji," McCully was quoted as saying by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. "The changes will end New Zealand's travel ban, and remove all remaining restrictions on New Zealand government departments working directly with their Fiji counterparts," McCully said, " Lifting our remaining sanctions will allow us to throw our full weight behind supporting Fiji's return to democracy and normalize our relationship with one of our closest neighbours." The travel sanctions were put into effect after Fiji's December 2006 coup. The Fijian government, which came to power after the coup, announced Friday that the country's general election will be held on Sept. 17. Prime Minister Bainimarama has resigned as commander of Fiji's military forces and has announced the name of his proposed political party as Fiji First. After the naval officer's resignation from the military, Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau announced that in recognition of Bainimarama's 39 years of distinguished service in the military and contribution to the country, his rank has been promoted from commodore to rear admiral.