Fiji should focus and work on the current agreement that is in place with the European Union, under the Economic Partnership Agreement.

Only Fiji and Papua New Guinea are parties to this agreement, but PNG has stalled from it.

EU’s Head of Delegation to the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs says Fiji should ensure it makes good use of the current Economic Partnership Agreement that includes free quota access into the EU for all exports.

He adds that while PNG has pulled out from the negotiations, it should not discourage Fiji.

“So its difficult to see how we can continue negotiations on a comprehensive EPA but i think we need to concentrate on the agreements that are in place which are good agreements, very beneficial to Fiji and we should make the most of that opportunity thats in place.”

He says the EU’s main focus now is to provide a big range of support to Fiji’s sugar sector with the preferential market access to the EU ending in 2017.

Jacobs adds the EPA will ensure that thousands of Fijian jobs are protected and the economy will continue to grow at its fastest rate in years.