Tonga's Information Minister Afu'alo Matoto released a statement Monday, sending invitations "without discrimination" to all leaders of the Pacific Forum countries for this year's summit.
According to the press release, the statement said that the Tonga Government looks forward to a most productive and fruitful discussion of the common challenges and opportunities that face all of the island countries.
Tonga will host the 38th Pacific Forum Leaders' Meeting on October 15-18 at the new convention center at Fa' onelua Park, with plans to hold a one day retreat on the island of Vava'u.
The Forum is the intergovernmental body for the south Pacific region, holding annual summit dealing with the political and economic issue.
The invitation is officially against New Zealand and Australia's opposition of Fiji's interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama's willingness to attend the session.
Both New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Australian Prime Minister John Howard have so far been vocal about their stand on Bainimarama, who led the Dec. 5, 2006 coup.
Bainimarama has already said he would attend even if he doesn't get "kisses on the cheeks" from the leaders of Australia and New Zealand.
He said while he was not bothered about opposition to his attendance, he would go unless the host country refused him entry.
Tonga was supposed to host the 37th Forum Leaders Meeting last year in October 24-25, however in August last year, the Government requested that it be rescheduled to another country and Fiji agreed to host it then.
Source: Xinhua
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