Economic integration is vital for many of the countries in the Pacific.

These were the words of the Secretary General to the Pacific Islands Forum Dame Meg Taylor as she addressed members of the African Caribbean and Pacific Island States and European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly meeting last week.

Taylor reveals that this has been one of the main negotiations in the Economic Partnership Agreement as it will have practical benefit of Small Island states and it will also benefit the economy of the region.

Meanwhile, the ACP/EU Assembly has adopted a number of resolutions lobbying strongly for the effective conclusion of a development friendly Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Pacific Island states.

For re-elected co-president Louis Michel, the assembly has been resolute in calling for the European Union to work towards a conclusive EPA in a timely manner.