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Fiji Times/ Pacnews
Sat, 10 Sep 2005
FIJI ---- A former Prime Minister of Vanuatu says he will try to resolve the trade dispute between Fiji and his country.
Edward Natapei, Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, said it was important for the two countries to have good relations.
He said while the biscuit ban was continuing and Fiji wanted to impose a kava ban, the relations between the two countries was very discouraging.
Mr Natapei said the ban was imposed when he was not a minister and could not make effective contributions.
He said in his term as Prime Minister from 2001 to last year, he tried his level best to keep members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group together.
Mr Natapei said as members of the group, countries should work together and their trade relations should be solid.
He said before negotiating with countries outside the group for products, members should look within.
Mr Natapei said both countries would lose out if the bans were imposed and continued and they would have to look for markets elsewhere.
He said he would try to talk to representatives of the Fiji Government before returning to Vanuatu. He is in the country attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting.
The impasse over the biscuit ban started after Vanuatu trade officials said Fiji-made breakfast crackers and cabin biscuits were not in the Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement “positive” list, which meant that Fiji exporters should pay duty.
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UPDATE FROM PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM LEADERS MEETING IN CAIRNS