PACP Leaders discuss EU funding and trade issues
PRESS STATEMENT (46/09
PACIFIC ACP LEADERS DISCUSS EU FUNDING AND TRADE ISSUES IN THE REGION
Cairns, 4th August 2009 -
Pacific ACP Leaders today held their 7th meeting in the northern Australian city of Cairns ahead of the 40th Pacific Islands Forum with discussions focused on the European Union’s funding to the region and trade related issues affecting the membership of the group.
The meeting was attended by Leaders from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu. Kiribati and Palau were represented by a representative of the country’ President. Timor Leste was also present at the meeting. Representatives of Regional Organisations also attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Premier of Niue, Hon. Toke Talagi.
During the meeting, PACP Leaders appreciated the signing of the final 10th EDF Pacific Regional Indicative Programme between the European Commission and the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) in November last year and acknowledged the two focal sectors of cooperation which are Regional Economic Integration with 45 million Euros allocation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment with 40 million Euros for the period 2008 – 2013. A further 10 million Euros has been allocated to a non-focal sector providing a total of 95 million Euros made available by the EC to Pacific ACP States for 2008 – 2013.
With respect to the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), PACP Leaders noted the developments and issues surrounding PICTA implementation and broadening of PICTA to include trade in services as well as the progress on the prefeasibility study to assess the establishment of the Pacific Single Market and Economy. Leaders further agreed that those PACP states yet to complete their domestic arrangements for facilitating PICTA trade do so and announce their readiness to trade under PICTA as soon as possible. Leaders directed that the Forum Secretariat work closely with the member countries to assist them in this process.
The PACP Leaders noted the developments in progressing the PACP – EU Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations and reaffirmed the PACP region’s commitment to the conclusion of a comprehensive EPA that acknowledges the unique circumstances of the PACPS.
The Leaders discussed the developments with regards to the Aid for Trade (AfT) Strategy for the Pacific region and urged all Pacific development partners as well as the international community to support the Pacific AfT Strategy as a framework for addressing and delivering trade-related assistance to the Forum Island Countries and Timor Leste in a cost effective way.
Pacific ACP Leaders noted the proposal for the establishment of the Office of the Forum Island Countries Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA) for PACER-Plus related activities and further directed PACP Trade Ministers to ensure the proposal is implemented appropriately. The PACP Leaders directed the Forum Secretariat to facilitate the transfer of the OCTA from PIFS to Vanuatu as soon as practical.
The Leaders further directed that the Forum Secretariat engage in discussions with the EU on the establishment of a regional Pacific Office in Brussels .
ENDS.
For more information on the Pacific ACP Leaders’ meeting contact, Mr John Stunnenberg, on phone 61 (0) 7 40424304 or email johns@forumsec.org.fj.
PACIFIC ACP LEADERS DISCUSS EU FUNDING AND TRADE ISSUES IN THE REGION
Cairns, 4th August 2009 -
Pacific ACP Leaders today held their 7th meeting in the northern Australian city of Cairns ahead of the 40th Pacific Islands Forum with discussions focused on the European Union’s funding to the region and trade related issues affecting the membership of the group.
The meeting was attended by Leaders from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu. Kiribati and Palau were represented by a representative of the country’ President. Timor Leste was also present at the meeting. Representatives of Regional Organisations also attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Premier of Niue, Hon. Toke Talagi.
During the meeting, PACP Leaders appreciated the signing of the final 10th EDF Pacific Regional Indicative Programme between the European Commission and the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) in November last year and acknowledged the two focal sectors of cooperation which are Regional Economic Integration with 45 million Euros allocation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment with 40 million Euros for the period 2008 – 2013. A further 10 million Euros has been allocated to a non-focal sector providing a total of 95 million Euros made available by the EC to Pacific ACP States for 2008 – 2013.
With respect to the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), PACP Leaders noted the developments and issues surrounding PICTA implementation and broadening of PICTA to include trade in services as well as the progress on the prefeasibility study to assess the establishment of the Pacific Single Market and Economy. Leaders further agreed that those PACP states yet to complete their domestic arrangements for facilitating PICTA trade do so and announce their readiness to trade under PICTA as soon as possible. Leaders directed that the Forum Secretariat work closely with the member countries to assist them in this process.
The PACP Leaders noted the developments in progressing the PACP – EU Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations and reaffirmed the PACP region’s commitment to the conclusion of a comprehensive EPA that acknowledges the unique circumstances of the PACPS.
The Leaders discussed the developments with regards to the Aid for Trade (AfT) Strategy for the Pacific region and urged all Pacific development partners as well as the international community to support the Pacific AfT Strategy as a framework for addressing and delivering trade-related assistance to the Forum Island Countries and Timor Leste in a cost effective way.
Pacific ACP Leaders noted the proposal for the establishment of the Office of the Forum Island Countries Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA) for PACER-Plus related activities and further directed PACP Trade Ministers to ensure the proposal is implemented appropriately. The PACP Leaders directed the Forum Secretariat to facilitate the transfer of the OCTA from PIFS to Vanuatu as soon as practical.
The Leaders further directed that the Forum Secretariat engage in discussions with the EU on the establishment of a regional Pacific Office in Brussels .
ENDS.
For more information on the Pacific ACP Leaders’ meeting contact, Mr John Stunnenberg, on phone 61 (0) 7 40424304 or email johns@forumsec.org.fj.
