Published by EEAS Team  31/01/2024 

On 31 January, the Independent State of Samoa (Samoa) and the European Union (EU) held the first Partnership dialogue under Article 3 of the Partnership Agreement signed on 15 November in Apia/ Samoa between the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the EU – the “Samoa Agreement”. The meeting takes place just before the first Pacific Day event in Brussels and the third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.

This Partnership dialogue is the successor of the Political dialogues held under Art. 8 of the “Cotonou Agreement”. Both parties confirmed their shared commitment to a strong and durable partnership, now further enhanced under the new “Samoa Agreement” and its new Pacific Protocol. The meeting was an important opportunity to discuss the effective implementation of the new partnership agreement and its Pacific protocol; and how to align its implementation to existing national and regional processes. The focused areas of discussions mirrored some of the key priority areas identified in the pacific protocol.

The continued challenge of climate change, development and post-covid pandemic economic recovery were a key part of the discussions. This included an exchange of views on the recently concluded COP28 in Dubai, where both reaffirmed their commitment to promoting ambitious climate action and leadership, towards a 1.5 degree world.

The EU and Samoa also focused discussions on development cooperation for 2021- 2027 under the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and strengthening trade ties by exploring the opportunities of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) – with the 9^th EPA Committee meeting between the EU and the Pacific States scheduled for 6-7 February 2024 in Apia, Samoa, to ensure its effective implementation.

The EU and Samoa also exchanged views on broader challenges of international developments in times of increasing geo-political competition. They reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, as well as priorities and commitments in the area of human rights, including gender equality and gender based violence; environmental sustainability, oceans, fisheries, and cooperation on tax good governance. Peace and security concerns were also highlighted throughout the meeting with plans for further exchange of information on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The EU and Samoa are looking forward to the upcoming 4^th SIDS Conference, which should ensure amore responsive UN for SIDS and deliver a robust 10-year outcome for the sustainability and resilience of SIDS. 

The constructive dialogue confirmed the areas of shared interest and common concern, where EU and Samoa can deepen collaboration at all levels for the mutual benefit of their respective citizens.

The Dialogue was conducted under the co-chairmanship of Ms Peseta Noumea SIMI, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ms Paola PAMPALONI, Deputy Managing Director of the Asia-Pacific Department of the European External Action Service.

For enquiries:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – (Samoa) or Samoa Mission to the EU, Brussels:

E-mail address: justin.lima@mfat.gov.ws ; Francella.strickland@proximus.be

Tel: (+685 21171)

Press Team – EU Delegation for the Pacific (Fiji):

E-mail address: Mohammed-Nazeem.KASIM@eeas.europa.eu

Tel: (+679) 331-3633 ext. 110