EU Technical Coop Facility
JOINT STATEMENT
24 Sep 2006
Delegation of the European Commission for the Pacific
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
58/06
EU FUNDS PACIFIC TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION FACILITY
Suva, Fiji (25 September, 2006) ? Pacific ACP countries will benefit from a Euro 1.2 million (F$2.6 million) Technical Co-operation Facility project financed by the European Development Fund (EDF), following a signing ceremony at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat headquarters in Suva today.
The Director, Development Co-operation Office in Brussels, Mr Gary Quince signed the Financing Agreement on behalf of the EU, in the presence of the Head of the EC Delegation for the Pacific, Dr Roberto Ridolfi. The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr Greg Urwin signed in his capacity as Regional Authorising Officer for European Development Fund (EDF) assistance to the region.
The four-year programme will be implemented immediately by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The main objective of the project is to improve the implementation of the National and Regional Indicative Programmes, facilitating better co-ordination, strengthening linkages to meet objectives of country and regional strategy papers.
Mr Urwin stated that "the project is a timely intervention as we are currently engaged in the programming of the 10th EDF. Resources can be accessed in a shorter period of time to develop the 10th EDF programmes as well as undertake any activity related to the development of the country and regional strategy papers."
"We are very grateful to the EU for their continued support of the region, which, through this intervention will ensure the smooth implementation of the EDF," he said.
On behalf of the European Commission, Mr Quince commended the good performance of the Regional Indicative Programme and said that this had resulted in an additional EUR 10 million in 9th EDF funding being allocated to the programme, including a massive increase in funding under the 10th EDF from ?29 million to over ?77 million (F$ 170 million).
"This increased level of funding to the region demonstrates and reaffirms EU's commitment to the development of the Pacific, particularly in the context of EU's Strategy for the Pacific and its "Green/Blue" component, which complements the Pacific Plan," Mr Quince said.
"The Technical Cooperation Facility will also assist the region implement the 10th EDF. In particular, it can and will provide the necessary technical assistance to help design EDF 10 programmes at both country and regional level," he said. (END)
Delegation of the European Commission for the Pacific, Suva, Fiji
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Suva, Fiji
24 Sep 2006
Delegation of the European Commission for the Pacific
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
58/06
EU FUNDS PACIFIC TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION FACILITY
Suva, Fiji (25 September, 2006) ? Pacific ACP countries will benefit from a Euro 1.2 million (F$2.6 million) Technical Co-operation Facility project financed by the European Development Fund (EDF), following a signing ceremony at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat headquarters in Suva today.
The Director, Development Co-operation Office in Brussels, Mr Gary Quince signed the Financing Agreement on behalf of the EU, in the presence of the Head of the EC Delegation for the Pacific, Dr Roberto Ridolfi. The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr Greg Urwin signed in his capacity as Regional Authorising Officer for European Development Fund (EDF) assistance to the region.
The four-year programme will be implemented immediately by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The main objective of the project is to improve the implementation of the National and Regional Indicative Programmes, facilitating better co-ordination, strengthening linkages to meet objectives of country and regional strategy papers.
Mr Urwin stated that "the project is a timely intervention as we are currently engaged in the programming of the 10th EDF. Resources can be accessed in a shorter period of time to develop the 10th EDF programmes as well as undertake any activity related to the development of the country and regional strategy papers."
"We are very grateful to the EU for their continued support of the region, which, through this intervention will ensure the smooth implementation of the EDF," he said.
On behalf of the European Commission, Mr Quince commended the good performance of the Regional Indicative Programme and said that this had resulted in an additional EUR 10 million in 9th EDF funding being allocated to the programme, including a massive increase in funding under the 10th EDF from ?29 million to over ?77 million (F$ 170 million).
"This increased level of funding to the region demonstrates and reaffirms EU's commitment to the development of the Pacific, particularly in the context of EU's Strategy for the Pacific and its "Green/Blue" component, which complements the Pacific Plan," Mr Quince said.
"The Technical Cooperation Facility will also assist the region implement the 10th EDF. In particular, it can and will provide the necessary technical assistance to help design EDF 10 programmes at both country and regional level," he said. (END)
Delegation of the European Commission for the Pacific, Suva, Fiji
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Suva, Fiji
