SUVA: The Melanesian Spearhead Group trade and economic officials meeting started at the Vale ni Bose complex in the Fiji capital behind closed doors yesterday but discussions are not expected to include PACER Plus.
The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus, which is still negotiated, is a trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand.
Instead, discussions are expected to centre around trade agreements within the MSG bloc of Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia (Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste), Solomon Islands and Fiji Islands.
East Timor and Indonesia are also part of the summit as observers.
The trade and economic officials complete their discussions today before the senior officials meet tomorrow.
Yesterday, the Pacific Institute of Public Policy issued a discussion paper titled "Youthquake: Will Melanesian democracy be sunk by demography" and claimed that Australia's policy in Melanesia is adrift as the region increasingly looks north to Asia.
While the media was only allowed picture opportunities, deputy secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sila Balawa, through the Information Ministry said discussions would be on matters that affect the people.
Balawa also told the ministry the meeting was also for the public and that everything was being done transparently so that it was public knowledge.
"We are doing everything transparently and it is public knowledge because the issues discussed has been coming out in the media," Balawa told the ministry.
"We are doing everything in a transparent manner because the issues involve the general public and the Melanesian people."
Balawa said climate change and encouraging more economic activities among the MSG countries would be discussed.
The trade and economic officials complete their discussions today before the senior officials meet tomorrow. - Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
