EU/Pacific Islands relations: a strategy for a strengthened partnership

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drawn up by Nirj DEVA (EPP-ED, UK) in response to the Commission communication on EU relations with the Pacific Islands - a strategy for a strengthened partnership. (Please see the summary dated 03/10/2006.)In addition, Parliament recognised the importance of EU financial assistance to encourage the development of local fisheries in the region, which are a major source of revenue for Pacific Island countries, and especially states with lower gross national incomes, such as Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Tuvalu.

Parliament also called for all nuclear tests to be banned, and regarded it as essential that the entire region be made nuclear-free and that the damage to the environment, ecosystems and public health caused by nuclear test be repaired.