Fiji president visiting

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday February 24th, 2014

 FIJI President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will meet Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill when he arrives today for a three-day visit.

Ratu Epeli, a former commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, will be welcomed at a guard of honour by members of 

the PNG Defence Force at Murray Barracks.

O’Neill will host a state dinner tonight for the visiting president.

Ratu Epeli is in the country as part of his tour of Pacific island countries to thank governments for supporting the Fiji government in its efforts to return Fiji to parliamentary democracy after the military coup of Dec 5, 2006.

O’Neill has committed K50 million to Fiji to help in the holding of the general election later this year. 

A PNG Government delegation will formally hand over the amount to the Fiji government next month.

Ratu Epeli will tomorrow attend a breakfast hosted by the PNG-Fiji Business Council. 

He will unveil a plaque at the Murray Barracks Officers’ Mess to mark the K15,000 initiative undertaken by the PNG-Fiji Business Council to upgrade the facility.

He leaves for Timor Leste on Wednesday afternoon.