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EU reaffirms its commitment to support Pacific Island countries

November 7, 2014 5:11 am

The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment as a strategic partner of the Pacific Islands and to the continued development of the region.

Addressing the SPC’s 44th Committee of Representatives of Government’s and Administrations (CRGA) in Noumea, New Caledonia today, the EU’s Ambassador for the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs said the Pacific is of great importance to the European Union.

Jacobs says the European Union will ensure that small island states are assisted in the areas of climate change, sustainable management of natural resources, water and sanitation, renewable energy and agriculture.

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Ambassador Jacobs applauded the commitment of participants at the SPC’s 44th CRGA to closer regional integration, including between the independent Pacific countries and the European overseas territories.

He says EU has increased not only budgets for its bilateral support to countries, but also the funds available for regional programmes.

The European Union is the largest development partner in the world and globally, the Pacific currently receives the largest per capita support from the EU.