By Linny Folau

The European Union is committed to conclude comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements EPAs with the Pacific region,  the President of the European Union Council and Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Christian Friis Bach said on June 14, in answer to concerns expressed by Pacific States earlier this week.

He assured the Joint Council of Ministers Meeting that from the European side there was genuine commitment and flexibility on the negotiation of the EPAs with the Pacific member States of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP).

Christian Friis Bach

"The EU is definitely committed to the EPA negotiations with the Pacific region, which we reaffirmed during the EU and Pacific Islands Forum that was held in Auckland prior to the ACP-EU Meeting this week," he said.

He believed there was commitment on both sides. "From the European side there is definitely commitment and flexibility which has already been demonstrated in some of the other Economic Partnership Agreements that have been signed and I am sure for the Pacific Islands negotiation as well," he said at a press conference to conclude the 37th session of the ACP-EU Joint Council of Ministers Meeting on June 15.

"The willingness and commitment from the EU has always been there and we are committed to the Pacific region," he said.

The 37th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Council of Ministers Meeting concluded at Le Lagon Resort, Vanuatu, on June 15 after two days of deliberations.