PACREIP Launches Website To Assist EPA Negotiations
PACREIP WEBSITE LAUNCH
43/06
PRESS STATEMENT
21 Aug 2006 20:29:41
PACREIP LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO ASSIST EPA NEGOTIATIONS
Pacific Island Countries negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) will be assisted with the launch of a website containing information on the Pacific Regional Economic Integration Programme (PACREIP).
The website is: www.pacreip.org.
The overall objective of PACREIP is the sustainable development of Pacific ACP States as an economically integrated region. PACREIP assists in the Pacific region's preparations and conduct of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU), and provides support for the region in World Trade Organization talks.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat which hosts the programme is the contracting authority for PACREIP. The other implementing agencies include the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO).
There are many stakeholders involved in the important work undertaken by PACREIP and the key to its success will be the dissemination and disclosure of information in a timely manner. Every effort must be made to ensure proper levels of awareness, understanding and knowledge are achieved, so that PACREIP objectives may be realistically accomplished, Greg Urwin, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said at the launch.
Mr Urwin thanked the European Union for its support to the PACREIP Management and Coordination Office and for funding the work programmes of the implementing agencies.
EPA negotiations between the European Union and the Pacific ACP States are now entering a crucial phase as they move towards the December 2007 deadline. Because of their significant potential impact on the direction of economic integration on the Pacific, EPAs are critical for the region, Mr Urwin said.
The Head of the European Commission's Delegation for the Pacific, Dr Roberto Ridolfi commended the Forum Secretariat for the initiative in developing the website.
The website will be of great interest, and will not only be used by those directly involved in Pacific Regional Economic Integration issues, but I hope by many others including students, private sector and the general public as a whole.
It is important to be able to demonstrate where the funds destined for the region are going and to show that they produce gains for the region as a whole, Dr Ridolfi said.
PACREIP is one of three major programmes funded by the EU in the Pacific in recent years.
ENDS.
For more information, please contact Pisaina Leilua-Lei Sam, PACREIP Programme Manager on phone (679) 331 2600.
43/06
PRESS STATEMENT
21 Aug 2006 20:29:41
PACREIP LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO ASSIST EPA NEGOTIATIONS
Pacific Island Countries negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) will be assisted with the launch of a website containing information on the Pacific Regional Economic Integration Programme (PACREIP).
The website is: www.pacreip.org.
The overall objective of PACREIP is the sustainable development of Pacific ACP States as an economically integrated region. PACREIP assists in the Pacific region's preparations and conduct of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU), and provides support for the region in World Trade Organization talks.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat which hosts the programme is the contracting authority for PACREIP. The other implementing agencies include the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO).
There are many stakeholders involved in the important work undertaken by PACREIP and the key to its success will be the dissemination and disclosure of information in a timely manner. Every effort must be made to ensure proper levels of awareness, understanding and knowledge are achieved, so that PACREIP objectives may be realistically accomplished, Greg Urwin, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said at the launch.
Mr Urwin thanked the European Union for its support to the PACREIP Management and Coordination Office and for funding the work programmes of the implementing agencies.
EPA negotiations between the European Union and the Pacific ACP States are now entering a crucial phase as they move towards the December 2007 deadline. Because of their significant potential impact on the direction of economic integration on the Pacific, EPAs are critical for the region, Mr Urwin said.
The Head of the European Commission's Delegation for the Pacific, Dr Roberto Ridolfi commended the Forum Secretariat for the initiative in developing the website.
The website will be of great interest, and will not only be used by those directly involved in Pacific Regional Economic Integration issues, but I hope by many others including students, private sector and the general public as a whole.
It is important to be able to demonstrate where the funds destined for the region are going and to show that they produce gains for the region as a whole, Dr Ridolfi said.
PACREIP is one of three major programmes funded by the EU in the Pacific in recent years.
ENDS.
For more information, please contact Pisaina Leilua-Lei Sam, PACREIP Programme Manager on phone (679) 331 2600.
