Pacific Forum Leaders Apologise to Micronesia After Leadership Split
The leaders of several Pacific island nations met to mend fences after Micronesia pulled out of the region’s peak body, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), in February over the selection of its new secretary-general from the Cook Islands.
The political dialogue mechanism called the Forum Troika Plus was set up in March to facilitate open and frank discussions among the Pacific leaders following the split but Micronesian leaders have signalled that there is a way to go.
The leaders of Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Nauru, Fiji, and Samoa offered apologies to Micronesia which in February gave a strong rebuke of the PIF for not selecting their consensus candidate Gerald Zackios, who serves as Marshall Islands’ Ambassador to the United States.
POHNPEI (ABC/Pacnews) — The president of the Federated States of Micronesia says his country will proceed with a withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum but “sincere” apologies from regional leaders
REGIONAL SOLIDARITY WAY FORWARD FOR THE PACIFIC
27/04/2021
Suva- In the true Pacific way, Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama has called on fellow Pacific Leaders to strengthen ties and have greater understanding and amicable solutions on critical issues of the region.
While delivering his official remarks at the virtual dialogue between the Forum Troika Plus and Micronesian Presidents Forum yesterday, Prime Minister Bainimarama commended the Micronesian Leaders for assenting to the meeting and for their commitment to keep the Pacific spirit alive and regional solidarity intact.
The Prime Minister also conveyed his sincere appreciation to the Leaders for their understanding following what transpired from the last Pacific Island Leaders Forum meeting, and this, he assured them of his full support “in our joint efforts to resolve the impasse through this dialogue mechanism”.
Fiji Department of Information
Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and his delegation participating in the dialogue yesterday. Picture: SUPPLIED
In the true Pacific way, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has called on fellow Pacific leaders to strengthen ties and have greater understanding and amicable solutions on critical issues of the region.
While delivering his official remarks at the virtual dialogue between the Forum Troika Plus and Micronesian Presidents Forum yesterday, Prime Minister Bainimarama commended the Micronesian leaders for assenting to the meeting and for their commitment to keep the Pacific spirit alive and regional solidarity intact.
The Prime Minister also conveyed his sincere appreciation to the leaders for their understanding following what transpired from the last Pacific Island Leaders Forum meeting, and this, he assured them of his full support “in our joint efforts to resolve the impasse through this dialogue mechanism”.