BARBARA PLINKERT – European Union’s (EU) new Ambassador to the Pacific – has told journalists in Honiara that the European Union (EU) has never left the Pacific.
“We’ve always been here and will continue to engage with this important region,” the Ambassador said in response to questions as to why there seemed to renewed interest in the Pacific.
She said that despite visibility on the ground, it did not mean the European Union had left the region, claiming its funding support continued to be poured into important infrastructure development.
For example, Ambassador Plinkert pointed to EU’s four-year funding support of EURO46 million (about SBD400 million) to Solomon Islands.
A new funding arrangement is under consideration, she said.
In Honiara, Ambassador Plinkert met with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele as well as other senior ministers, including Foreign Minister Peter Shanel.
Based in Brussel, Belgium, Ambassador Plinkert told reporters she would be visiting the region more often than before.
Journalist raised with her the need to empower talents of local media representatives instead of hiring journalists from other regions, pointing out the UNDP Office in Honiara, which recently hired a media consultant from overseas to head its publicity team.
Ambassador Plinkert who left Solomon Islands last Saturday said, she agreed.
By Alfred Sasako
