EU-Pacific Islands Forum Troika Ministerial Meeting
- On: 16.09.2008
- In: Brussels
Within the framework of the EU-Pacific dialogue, the first ministerial troika between the European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum will be held in Brussels on 16 September 2008.
Alain Joyandet, Minister of State for Cooperation and the Francophonie, will lead the EU troika, and Toke Tufukia Talagi, Premier of Niue, will lead the Pacific Islands Forum.
The principle of holding a three-yearly meeting between the EU and the PIF was established in October 2007. The EU-Pacific Strategy, adopted on 17 July 2006 by the EU's foreign affairs ministers, is henceforth the framework for the Community's cooperation in this region. It stresses the themes of democracy, good governance, security, economic growth and sustainable development as well as regional integration and aid for development. It also underlines the importance of strengthening political dialogue with the Pacific Islands Forum.
On the occasion of this ministerial meeting, the EU and PIF member states will look at the situation in the region, particularly in Fiji. They will also discuss enhancing their trade relations within the framework of the negotiation of an economic partnership agreement between the EU and the ACP countries of the Pacific as well as major global challenges, of which combating climate change is a priority.
Established in 1971 the Pacific Islands Forum is the south Pacific's political organisation. It has 16 member states: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu and Vanuatu. East Timor has had observer status since 2002. French Polynesia and New Caledonia became associate members in 2006, and Wallis and Futuna became an observer member.
- Updated: 25.11.2008
