Brussels, 13/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The fight against climate change will be one of the top priorities of the future partnership between the EU and the small island states (SIS) of the Pacific, whose population and development are severely threatened by a rise in sea level. The communication recently published by the European Commission on the theme of renewed EU-Pacific development demonstrates the EU's resolve to step up its support of these countries in order to raise not only the challenge of global warming but also that of development. The text was jointly prepared by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Andris Piebalgs, European Development Commissioner.
“Pacific Islands are the first victims of climate change, which hampers their development and threatens people' lives. As the largest donor, the EU is taking on its global responsibilities and will continue to express its solidarity with the poor and vulnerable citizens of these small islands”, said Piebalgs, announcing the Commission's intention to earmark an additional €19 million to help the islands to better adapt to the challenges of global warming.
The small Pacific island states, which are members of the group of ACP countries bound to the EU by the Cotonou Agreement, are home to a total of 10 million inhabitants and are among the 15 smallest economies in the world. Three atoll states are threatened by a rise in sea level. At the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in 2009, the small island states, grouped within the AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States), had requested that the maximum rise in temperature at the surface of the planet should be reduced from 2°C to 1.5°C. (AN/transl.jl)