Australia and New Zealand have reinstated ties with Fiji after the small Pacific island nation said it would hold democratic elections.
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully, and Fiji counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola met in Sydney to “ensure channels of dialogue between the respective countries were open and effective,” reads a joint statement from the officials, according to the Australian Associated Press.
Fiji had expelled New Zealand and Australian diplomats in 2009 and the two other countries followed suit.
Commodore Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama took power in a coup in 2006 and elections have not been held since.
McCully said they restored diplomatic ties because it will help ensure that Fiji holds open and free elections, reported Radio New Zealand.
The ministers also agreed on more flexible travel sanctions on a case-by-case basis, according to the broadcaster.
Australian Council of Trade Unions head Ged Kearney spoke with Carr after the meeting and was told that the travel ban on military leaders would remain.
“Whilst we would prefer the entire ban stay in place, we understand the relaxing of it has been limited to civilians, to send a message to the military regime that Fiji’s future rests in its civilian population, not the undemocratic military,” he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
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