Fiji and the European Union (EU) are committed to engaging in deeper and meaningful collaboration to tackle the global crisis including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, human rights, and sustainable human development. This commitment was emphasised at the farewell courtesy call of the outgoing EU Deputy Head of Delegation in the Pacific, Mr Corrado Pampaloni to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Immigration and Sugar Industry and Acting Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Jitendra Karan.
In reaffirming Fiji’s partnership with the EU, PS Karan said multilateralism was crucial in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
PS Karan said the EU continues to be Fiji’s important development partner and it is envisaged that the negotiations on the Post Cotonou Agreement will further strengthen dialogue and bring new opportunities for Fiji and the region.
He also conveyed the Fijian Government’s best wishes to Mr Pampaloni for his future endeavors and thanked him for his 4 years of service to Fiji.
In response, Mr Pampaloni said that EU and Fiji have been friends since the 1970's and had become close allies working side by side in deepening our bilateral relations and collaboration at the international level.
“Indeed, without Fiji, the Pacific and the EU working closely together, the Paris Agreement would never have been signed. As Chair of COP23, Fiji, under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister is now leading the world's fight against climate change and Fiji has the EU’s full support. We must continue to seize opportunities that will be a win-win for all of us, like the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).”
“The EU has a rich history with the sugar and agricultural sector and we are collaborating on this. We recently committed EUR 20 million or nearly FJD 50 million, which will contribute to poverty eradication and enhance rural livelihoods and environment sustainability, and food and nutrition security for all Fijians,” he said.
Mr Pampaloni said his work in Fiji had been an enriching experience on both the professional and personal level.
“Fiji and Europe are great partners and our bilateral relations are stronger than ever before. I am honoured to work with our Fijian friends on the Multilateral fora. Working in Fiji made me a strong defender of the multilateral system, we need to reinforce it and protect it.
“COVID-19 pandemic knows no border and therefore, I believe it is more important than ever to work together as global citizens to address global challenges. I learnt a lot from my Fijian colleagues and friends when it comes to listening and understanding the reasons of our partner countries and in particular of the 13 great Pacific ones that as a Delegation we are honoured to work with. It was an excellent lesson that allowed me to leave a much richer man than when I arrived, four years ago. I will miss beautiful Fiji and the Pacific,” Mr Pampaloni said.