european union

EU eyes 'new era' of partnership with Pacific

With the EU's current partnership agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries expiring in 2020, they are working towards a new agreement.

Stefano Manservisi, the Director-General of DEVCO, is visiting the Pacific, taking in visits to Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand.

He said the EU was proposing to embed in a new agreement a "specific Pacific pillar", based on common objectives.

Brexit: EU says it doesn't want to 'punish' Britain for leaving

"Brexit is punitive enough," said Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.

The EU nevertheless set out a tough set of principles for Brexit negotiations. They offer the possibility that trade talks could begin before the UK leaves -- but only after "sufficient progress" is made on the complex task of untangling Britain from the EU.

In her letter triggering the UK's formal exit from the EU, British Prime Minister Theresa May had asked for a parallel approach from the start.

EU and Germany working together in Kiribati

The work, for which $US686, 000 had been provided, would be implemented by Germany's International Co-operation agency.

The climate change project entails strengthening capacities of Kiribati's technical agencies and some communities to help them to undertake coastal-land use vulnerability & adaptation assessments.

The sustainable energy project entails the design, installation and sustainable management of solar energy systems, at two boarding schools.

EU wraps up talks with Palau

EU's Ambassador to the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs has this week been in Palau where he had talks with the President of Palau, Tommy Remengesau and his Government.

A release out of the EU Pacific office says there were fruitful discussions on the EU-Palau cooperation, regional economic integration, sustainable management of natural resources and climate change.

Palau and the EU have a bilateral programme for funding of $US1.7 million between 2014 and 2020 under the 11th European Development Fund.

Brexit defeat for UK government over EU citizen rights

Members of the House of Lords, the upper house of the UK parliament, voted in favor of an amendment that called for EU nationals legally resident in Britain to be guaranteed the same status after the UK leaves the European Union

EU agrees to boost defence and security

The plan envisages greater co-ordination in areas like EU-led peacekeeping missions outside the bloc.

However, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini stressed that the bloc did not intend to compete with Nato or create a European army.

She added that the plan was under consideration before Donald Trump's victory in US presidential elections.

During the campaign, Mr Trump suggested that Washington may not automatically come to the aid of a Nato ally under attack, criticising low levels of defence spending by some EU members of the military alliance.

Boris Johnson's secret pro-EU article revealed

In a previously unpublished column he penned in February, Johnson -- now the UK's foreign secretary -- urged Britain to stay in the EU, just two days before he came out against the Remain campaign.

EU celebrates World Day Against the Death Penalty

“On this important occasion, we recall that the death penalty is a violation of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and call for an end to state-sanctioned capital punishment.”

Enhanced Political Dialogue between Samoa and EU

The discussions covered political and economic developments in Samoa and the European Union as well as key strategic topics of mutual interest for both sides.

The meeting was chaired on the Samoan side by the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, and by HE Mr Andrew Jacobs, Head of Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific.

Among the outcomes was an agreement by the parties to seek common lines to tackle key global challenges such as climate change and to strengthen their co-operation in regional and international matters of common concern. 

Theresa May could begin Brexit process by February, says Tusk

European Council President Donald Tusk said Mrs May had told him the UK could be ready to begin talks by February.

The BBC's Tom Bateman says this is the clearest sign yet of when the two-year withdrawal process may start.

Mrs May's office said it would not be launched this year, but did not confirm Mr Tusk's account.

Formal negotiations over the withdrawal cannot begin until the UK triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal mechanism for leaving the union.