Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola with the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica.PHOTO:SUPPLIED
The European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica, today paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Minister Kubuabola expressed appreciation to the EU Commissioner for visiting Fiji and the re-engagement with the European Union through the signing today of the National Indicative Programme by Prime Minister Bainimarama and Commissioner Mimica. The NIP establishes a formal development cooperation arrangement with the EU for the next few years.
Commissioner Mimica was very pleased to be in Fiji and the resumption of development cooperation arrangements between the EU and Fiji. He noted the great progress Fiji has made in terms of political and economic reforms. He added that it was necessary to materialise this partnership in very concrete terms in areas such as agriculture, rural development and public administration.
The Commissioner also extended support to Fiji’s preparations towards the climate change Summit in Paris later this year. Mr. Mimica acknowledged Fiji’s leadership role in the region and encouraged the Fijian Government to continue its advocacy against climate change in the regional and international arena.
As a key development partner in the region, Commissioner Mimica expressed the EU’s interest in the ongoing discussions on the Pacific regional architecture. Minister Kubuabola acknowledged that a lot of work lies ahead in reviewing the regional architecture. He added that the Pacific can learn some valuable lessons from the EU’s regional integration model.
Commissioner Mimica returns to Brussels tomorrow.
Press Release