Brussels, 03/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 3 August, the annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) opened at Port Vila, the capital of the Vanuatu archipelago. The PIF is the region's major political and economic policy institution with a mission to strengthen regional cooperation and integration. It comprises 16 member states (14 Pacific Island countries plus Australia and New Zealand) and has met each year since it was created in 1971. The European Commission will attend one of the five specific meetings held during this 41st session.
The meeting with the leaders of the Pacific Islands and the ACP countries concerned will provide an opportunity for the Commission to pursue discussion on several subjects, and especially on a memorandum of understanding with a view to a joint EU/Pacific initiative on climate change. The aim is to facilitate implementation of the joint declaration adopted in November 2008 on this subject and to attract international funding to combat the effects of climate change, the Commission announces in a press release on Tuesday.
Strengthened cooperation between the countries of the Pacific region had led to the adoption, in 2006, of an EU strategy for strengthened partnership with the Pacific. There are several aspects to this initiative, including enhanced EU-PIF political dialogue (through meetings between the EU and PIF, as well as ministerial meetings) and discussion on trade-related subjects, energy, security, etc. It also makes it possible to increase funding available for development aid, with the countries of the Pacific region being the first beneficiaries of EU aid per capita. The 10th European Development Fund (EDF) for the period 2008-2013 also significantly increased means available for the countries of the region.
Regarding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the situation of the countries of the region remains problematical. Although some states have made considerable progress, if not already reached a number of the MDGs, the region as a whole does not seem able to reach 2015 targets. In the region (including East Timor), 3.2 million people live below the poverty line, and do not have enough income to meet their most basic human needs. (A.B./transl.jl)