MOSCOW, October 31 (RIA Novosti) — Australia and the US have revoked sanctions, imposed on the Republic of Fiji in response to a military coup in 2006, and announced normalization of the countries’ relations as well as a new era of partnership, the Guardian reports.
“Today marks the start of a new era in the relationship between Australia and Fiji,” said Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop, adding that all restrictive measures, including arms sales and supply, have been dropped.
The US, in turn, has declared the removal of sanctions on financial assistance and travel, and expressed its hopes for the establishment of cooperation between the two countries in the military sphere.
"We congratulate the people of Fiji on the swearing-in of a new government and the restoration of the country's parliament," said Frankie Reed, US Ambassador to Fiji, cited by BBC.
The sanctions have been lifted following Fiji’s democratic elections in September 2014. The former country’s leader Frank Bainimarama has been democratically re-elected, with his party Fiji First receiving 59% majority in the country’s parliament.
The restrictive measures were imposed on Fiji after a military takeover in December 2006. After a long-lasting conflict between the country’s authorities and the army, the latter took control of the government, with its leader Frank Bainimarama proclaiming himself president. According to BBC, the coup resulted in the isolation from Australia, New Zealand and the US, despite the fact that the new ruler managed to develop Fiji’s economy and secure stability.
