The European Union has agreed to provide a grant worth TOP$24 million to support Tonga's budget and improve its electricity distribution network to rural areas.

Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele met with the EC Commissioner for Development, Mr Andris Piebalgs, and senior officials at the EU Headquarters on April 28-29.

The Grant consists of a $5.5 million euros (TOP $16.5 million) for budgetary support, in response to an application made by the Government of Tonga.

In addition it also agreed to provide 2.5 million euros (TOP $7.5 million) towards improvement of the electricity distribution network to the rural areas, the first application under Tonga's Energy Facility II.

ACP

Prime Minister Sevele also visited the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Headquarter and met with Secretary-General, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

In a statement from ACP, Dr Chambas said it was great honour to meet the Tongan PM during his visit to Europe, as he is amongst the first ACP leaders to visit him since he took office in March earlier this year.

He was accompanied by the Tonga High Commissioner to London and the EU, HE Sione Ngongo Kioa, and Robert Solomon, the PM's Economic Advisor.