The signing of the Samoa Agreement, was the highpoint of a two-day meeting of the Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Council of Ministers followed by a Joint Council of OACPS and European Union (EU) Ministers hosted by the Government of Samoa.
The Agreement which replaces the Cotonou Agreement, which has governed OACPS-EU relations since 2000 is a new framework of partnership between the EU and the OACPS that will guide them for the next 20 years.
Fiji participated in the signing and was represented by Luke Daunivalu, Fiji’s envoy with responsibility for the EU-OACPS relations.
“The signing of the new agreement in Samoa is a proud moment for the Blue Pacific Continent. The Samoa Agreement represents a paradigm shift, enabling Fiji and members of the OACPS to renew their cooperation with the EU as equal partners,” Mr Daunivalu said.
“The Samoa Agreement has a foundational section and will be complimented by distinct regional protocols to be tailored for Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Each protocol has specific governance measures to oversee and direct relations with the EU and each region,” he said.
“We are guided in those efforts by the Blue Pacific’s vision to be a Zone of Peace, as declared by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka, and welcomed by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders last week.”
“The Agreement is a significant milestone for Fiji as it will strengthen its ties with both the EU and the OACPS.
“It will support Fiji’s priority developments in areas such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development, maritime security, human rights, trade and investment, amongst others.
“Immediate actions to operationalize the Agreement will include the establishment of institutions outlined in the agreement at both OACPS and regional levels, along with the formulation of rules of procedures to govern and support the functioning of those institutions.
“The OACPS-EU partnership is one of the oldest and most comprehensive frameworks for cooperation between the EU and its partners, uniting over 1.5 billion people across four continents and commanding more than half of the seats at the United Nations.”
