The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, will be in the Pacific to attend the 45th Pacific Islands Forum meeting which opens in Koror, Palau, this week.
Catherine Ashton will address the plenary session today and will host a Pacific Island leaders’ dinner the same evening.
This is the High Representatives’ first visit to the Pacific Islands and is a demonstration of the importance that the European Union places on its relations with the region.
The European Union’s High Representative will talk with Pacific leaders about issues of mutual interest such as global security, climate change, regional integration, development co-operation, and the deepening of strategic relations between the Pacific and the European Union.
The European Union will provide over €750 million for bi-lateral and regional co-operation, including for European Overseas Countries and Territories, from 2014-2020. Of this, €166 million will be for Pacific regional initiatives. (ENDS)
