The European Union’s direct development funding to Fiji will normalise on June 16.

That’s when Neven Mimica, the new EU Commissioner for International Development and Co-operation, signs the National Indicative Programme with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in Suva.

The signing will officially re-establish full relations between Fiji and the EU after they were suspended following the 2006 takeover. Financing of EU-sponsored developments was channeled through  NGOs.

Warming of relations has already been happening in the climate change battle. The EU has been backing Fiji’s position.

This will be a significant occasion because it will be Mr Mimica’s first visit to Fiji and the Pacific after his appointment a few months ago.

Mr Mimica will meet the Attorney-General and Minister for Finance, Public Service, Public Enterprise and Communications, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola after the signing.

On the eve of the signing, June 15, Mr Mimica will address the African Carribean and Pacific (ACP)-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

The 29th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly  (JPA) will continue to June 17 according to its newsletter (9th edition).

It will be preceded by meetings of the three standing committees on June 13 and two workshops and the meeting of the Bureau on  June 14.

The JPA is a consultative body. It:

– promotes democratic processes through dialogue and consultation;

– facilitates greater understanding between the peoples of the European Union and those of the ACP :States and raise public awareness of development issues;

– discusses issues pertaining to development and the ACP-EU Partnership;

– adopts resolutions and make recommendations to the Council of Ministers with a view to achieving the objectives of this Agreement.

-his meeting was originally planned for Vanuatu but the destruction by Cyclone Pam meant Port Vila would not be able to accommodate all the dignatories.

This is a powerful gathering.The ACP Group has 79 member states including Fiji, all of them save Cuba, are signatories to the Contonou Agreement.

Forty five members of the European Parliament are expected to attend the meeting.

In the afternoon of June 16, Mr Mimica will sign the Regional Indicative Programme with Secretary-General of the Pacific Island Forum, Dame Meg Taylor.

He will also officially open the EU Pacific Delegation premises at Tappoo City and meet members of the European community in Suva.

On June 17, he will visit the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji in Lautoka, a EU-supported project.

Feedback:  nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj