Banimarama: "Let bygone be Bygone"

Fiji Prime Minister today received official state welcome at the governor  house Auckland. He has been in the country since Wednesday. 

The visiting Prime Minister was received by Prime Minister John Key at a state ceremony this morning.         

This is his first state visit to New Zealand in the last 10 years.

After a powhiri and military guard of honour both Prime Ministers proceeded for official bilateral talks.

Prime Minister John Key while officially inaugurating the talks between the two delegations expressed  his delight in moving forward in the bilateral relationship.

After the talks, which were slightly quicker than earlier anticipated, suggesting a positive sign among the insiders, Bainimarama asserted that "let bygone be bygone."

He further asserted that he acknowledges Prime Minister John Key's initiate to take this bilateral relationship to next level and is willing to work together with the New Zealand government to enhance people to people and trade relations between the two countries. 

Although the opportunity to ask questions was not available to media in the official program immediately after the bilateral talks, yet Bainimarama chose to answer a couple of questions thrown at him, is a reflection of changing time ahead.

The important takeaway so far from this ongoing visit of Fiji Prime Minister is that Fiji is opening up slowly, and Prime Minister John Key can take a pat on his back for enunciating the opening up process. 

However, concerns are still there about media's freedom and Bainimarama's willingness to cooperate with the wider international community. 

Yet signs of progress are there.