Pacific ACP

​PNG nominated lead negotiator

The Leaders Summit in Apia, Samoa, also agreed to nominate Samoa to be the second lead negotiator in its capacity as the current PACP Chair. Their alternates are Fiji and Solomon Islands.

The post-Cotonou negotiations start in 2018.

Pacific ACP leaders want no more cuts to EDF11 funding

The leaders and representatives of 14 Pacific ACP states met in Apia, Samoa today to discuss concerns about significant delays in the programming of the EDF 11 Pacific Regional Indicative Programme (PRIP) and other partnerships related to the EU.

At a press conference after the meeting, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor expressed disappointment at the delay.

“We are disappointed because our countries have been insisting on the drawdown of these funds and the negotiations have been protracted,” she said.

PNG to ‘deepen and widen’ trade deal with Europe

In a media conference today, Maru said this is to cover additional products beyond canned tuna and make provision for accession of additional new members within the Pacific ACP group to join  iEPA.

Maru said he had fruitful talks with the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade, Madam Cecilia Malmstrom after attending the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Trade Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium on June 26. 

Minister Maru was accompanied by PNG Ambassador to EU, Joshua Kalinoe and Trade, Commerce and Industry Secretary, John Andrias.