The EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, has reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to the region during this week’s Pacific ACP (PACP) official meeting.
She emphasised the Samoa Agreement’s Pacific Protocol, detailing the institutional framework being established to enhance cooperation.
“We are working on setting up a Pacific-EU Council of Ministers and a Joint Committee. Once we finalise the details, these bodies will oversee our collaboration,” Ambassador Plinkert said.
She confirmed that the rules for the Pacific-EU Parliamentary Assembly are already in place, with the first session scheduled for 2025.
“The Pacific Protocol states that this institutional framework will include a Pacific-EU Council of Minister, a Pacific-EU Joint Committee. The rules of procedure for these institutions are currently being discussed internally within the EU and on your side.
“Once we have come to a common understanding on the details, including the periodicity of meetings to be convened at all levels, the rules of procedures will be adopted at a meeting of the joint institutions. Rules of procedure for the Pacific-EU Parliamentary Assembly have already been agreed.
The first Assembly under the Pacific Protocol is envisaged for 2025,” Ambassador Plinkert said.
Addressing EU-Pacific cooperation, Plinkert emphasised alignment with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
“We strive to adapt our cooperation to your regional priorities,” she said.
“And we continue to listen attentively to new directions and emerging priorities, such as at last week’s Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, we were keen to learn about key topics discussed, such as the development of the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development, the Pacific Resilience Fund, Correspondent Banking Relationships, connectivity and economic integration to name just some. We look forward to discuss all these initiatives in more detail as they take shape,” Ambassador Plinkert told ACP officials.
She outlined several new initiatives, including enhanced support for regional economic integration, local business development, and trade facilitation.
The EU also plans to support Pacific countries in boosting climate resilience and managing fisheries sustainably through a second phase of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP).
“For 2021-2027, we have committed EUR 650 million (US$710 million) for the Pacific region,” she said.
Under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, projects focusing on transport, energy transition, and water and sanitation infrastructure are already underway.
“We’re committed to boosting sustainable and secure connectivity in the Pacific,” Ambassador Plinkert stressed.
She confirmed that EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen will attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga at the end of this month, showcasing the EU’s commitment at a ministerial level.
“This marks a significant step as it will be the first time in a long while that the EU will be represented at a Ministerial level, demonstrating our strong commitment to reinforced cooperation with the Pacific under the Samoa Agreement”
The Samoa Agreement, signed in November last year, has now seen all Pacific countries join, a milestone Plinkert celebrated.
“It is a great pleasure to see that all Pacific countries have joined. We can now truly move towards implementing the Pacific Protocol of the Samoa Agreement, our dedicated framework for cooperation.”
Highlighting the seamless transition from the Cotonou Agreement to the Samoa Agreement, Ambassador Plinkert reassured continued support for ongoing and new initiatives.
“Our development cooperation has seen a smooth transition, and we are now developing new initiatives for the second phase of our implementation period, including support for regional economic integration and climate resilience.”
“Programmes, be it through budget support with several countries, or projects with CROP agencies or international agencies and NGOs, have continued throughout this transition and are fully aligned with the defined priorities of the Samoa Agreement,” she said.
