Pacific foreign minister meeting to press Fiji democracy

Updated July 11, 2008 08:03:19

Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Commodore Bainimarama says electoral reform should come before elections. [Reuters]

New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, says Pacific foreign ministers will urge Fiji's military government to return to democracy, when they travel to Fiji next week.

Ministers from Australia, New Zealand and four Pacific island states will attend the Pacific Islands Forum ministerial contact group meeting that will look at Fiji's progress towards the polls.

Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, has said elections would not be held without reforming the electoral system which he says worsens racial divisions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians.

Winston Peters says the visit by the six foreign ministers might build trust with Fiji leaders, and create a better climate for elections.