Issue Date: 22 September 2009

The European Commission to meet New Zealand and Australia in Wellington to further cooperation in the Pacific

The European Commission will be having talks with New Zealand and Australia on practical cooperation in the Pacific on Tuesday, 6 October.

The EU is fielding a large delegation that will be headed up by the European Commission's Director for Development and Relations in the Pacific, Mr Roger Moore together with the Heads of EC Delegations in the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand. The European Investment Bank will also be present.

Mr Moore will be available for media interview and comment in Wellington about the EU's role in the Pacific on Monday morning, 5 October.

The EU, New Zealand and Australia are the largest donors in the region. The EU has a significant presence in the Pacific having committed around NZ$1 billion for that region's development 2008-13.

The purpose of the trilateral meeting is to enhance regional cooperation between the three partners. Specific agenda items will include climate change, renewable energy, budget support and aid for trade. There will also be a seminar on the EU's role in the Pacific at 5.30pm, Monday 5 October, hosted by the NZIIA at Victoria University.

EC Delegation :
• Mr. Roger Moore, Director for Development and Relations with the Pacific, Horn of Africa, East and Southern Africa, Indian Ocean
• H.E. Ambassador Mr. David Daly, Head of EC Delegation to Australia and New Zealand
• H.E. Ambassador Mr. Aldo Dell'Ariccia, Head of EC Delegation to Papua New Guinea
• H.E. Ambassador Mr. Wiepke van der Goot, Head of EC Delegation to the Pacific
• Mr George Cunningham, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., EC Delegation to New Zealand
• Mr. Nicolas Berlanga Martinez, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., EC Delegation to Vanuatu
• Mr. Abdoul Aziz Mbaye, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., EC Delegation to Solomon Islands
• Mr. Robert de Raeve, EC Delegation to the Pacific
• Mr. Roberto Cecutti, EC Delegation to Papua New Guinea
• Ms. Elisabeth Edland, DG Development, European Commission
• Ms Lucy Ross, EC Delegation to New Zealand
• Mr. Bernard Gordon, European Investment Bank
• Mr. Jean-Philippe de Jong, European Investment Bank

ENDS

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