No progress on suspension of New Zealand aid to Nauru after talks
|
Version 0 of 1. Related: Julie Bishop to raise concerns with Nauru over prosecution of opposition Nauru is no closer to having its aid from New Zealand restored. After a number of failed attempts, the New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully, finally met with Nauru’s justice minister, David Adeang, on Friday on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum in Port Moresby. McCully was keen to talk to Adeang after New Zealand suspended the $1.2m of aid it provides to keep Nauru’s justice sector going. The decision, which McCully said wasn’t taken lightly, followed growing concerns about the deterioration of the rule of law in the tiny Pacific nation and worries about democratic and civil rights. New Zealand says it’s prepared to reinstate that aid if changes are made and credibility is restored to Nauru’s justice sector. Related: Nauru blocks visa of Australian barrister for deportee and asylum seekers But Friday’s talks apparently made no progress towards this and McCully said Nauru was no closer to getting further funding from the New Zealand government. The New Zealand prime minister, John Key, may have also found himself in an awkward conversation with Nauru’s president, Baron Waqa. The alphabetical seating arrangement at the Pacific Islands Forum meant Nauru was seated next to New Zealand for the final day of talks with non-forum members. Key and McCully returned to New Zealand late on Friday. |