Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola met yesterday with his Indonesian counterpart, Dr Marty Natalegawa, in the margins of the Bali Democracy Forum(BDF) III, in Bali, Indonesia.
Minister Natalegawa expressed the Indonesian Government’s great honour and sincere appreciation that Fiji was able to take up the invitation to attend BDF III and acknowledged that Fiji’s continued engagement with fellow nations in Asia and the Pacific at the Forum gave credence to the BDF as a true international platform for the discussions and sharing of best practices in democracy.
The theme of this year’s forum was “Democracy and The Promotion of Peace and Stability” which saw the participation of 45 countries and over 20 observers sharing their respective experiences.
Ratu Inoke, in thanking Dr Natalegawa, made special reference to the unique opportunity this Forum has afforded the region in allowing countries to feely and openly express their positions and experiences, without fear of condemnation.
He further reinforced the Forum’s sentiments that democracy must be a home-grown process for it to be lasting, with recognition that there is a no one-size-fits-all approach to its formulation.
Minister Natalegawa said that Indonesia looked forward to seeing Fiji make progress towards democracy and that his country wanted to be a part of the solution for the return to democracy.
Discussions at the meeting also included the opening of Fiji’s Embassy in Indonesia by April 2011, Fiji’s application for membership in the Non-Alligned Movement(NAM), and Fiji and Indonesia’s respective interest in observer status in ASEAN and the MSG.
Minister Kubuabola thanked the Indonesian Government for the expeditious granting of Agrément for the accreditation of Fiji’s Ambassador to Indonesia and looked forward to further facilitation in establishing the Mission in 2011.
Minister Kubuabola also extended an invitation to Minister Natalegawa to visit Fiji in 2011.
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