Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 June 2007. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Fiji: Elections

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received (a) on the likelihood of Fiji holding elections by March 2009 and (b) the restoration of democracy in Fiji.

Answer: We receive regular reports on the situation in Fiji from our high commission in Suva and our posts elsewhere in the region. We also discuss Fiji with the EU, Australia, New Zealand and others.On 18 April the Fiji interim government made a number of commitments to the EU under the terms of the Cotonou agreement. These commitments set out the steps for the return to democracy, including the holding of free and fair elections. Thereafter a team of independent consultants, nominated by the Pacific Islands Forum, released the results of an election feasibility study. The study concluded that elections could be held by March 2009. On 19 June, the Fiji interim government accepted this timetable.We, with EU partners and others, will continue to monitor progress towards this.

Secondary information