In her remarks, Ambassador Plinkert underlined the long history of co-operation and partnership between the European Union and Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands is the largest recipient of EU development assistance among the Pacific Island Countries under the EU’s funding instrument for 2021-2027. The development partnership focuses on strengthening local governance and national institutions, as well as climate resilience. This support, coupled with a substantial contributions in the area of urban water and sanitation, public finance management and support to elections, is creating economic and livelihood opportunities for rural populations (around 75% of the total population), diversifying sustainable productive sectors and promoting institutional and infrastructure development.

Ambassador Plinkert noted that the new Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the “Samoa Agreement”, which entered provisionally into force in January 2024 and has been signed by all Pacific Island ACP Countries, takes into account the full depth of our relations. Solomon Islands is an integral part of the EU’s partnership with the ACP and the Pacific and we look forward to jointly implementing our shared aspirations as laid down in the Agreement.

Picture Credit: The Government of the Solomon Islands

She also underlined the EU’s interest in further enhancing trade and business links with Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is a party to the EU-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement, which has already had positive impact on Solomon Island’s economic and social development.

“I look forward to continuing working with you to strengthen our partnership during my tenure, further enhancing the EU’s friendly relations with the Government and the people of Solomon Islands,” Ambassador Plinkert told His Excellency Reverend David Tiva Kapu.

Ambassador Plinkert called on the Prime Minister, Hon Jeremiah Manele; Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka; Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare; the Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Hon. Rexon Ramofafia. as well as the Minister for Provincial Government & Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Wayne Osopo Ghemu.

Following her meeting with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, Ambassador Plinkert announced that the EU is proposing to mobilise up to 250,000 EUR in support to the East New Britain Initiative – an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing the benefits of tuna fisheries for the member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

During her stay in Honiara, Ambassador Plinkert also joined the Government of Solomon Islands and New Zealand as well as the UN Capital Development Fund to launch the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) to empower communities to take the lead in building resilience to climate change. Together with the Minister for Provincial Government & Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Wayne Osopo Ghemu, Ambassador Plinkert visited one of the local communities in Visale, where LoCAL will be implemented.

ENDS.