european union

EU urged to adopt 'vaccine passports'

The idea of such a document, likely to be a certificate, would be to permit those who have been vaccinated to travel freely within the EU.

The proposal was put forward during a virtual discussion between EU leaders.

But a vaccine passport faces opposition from some of the bloc's 27 member states.

France and Germany say such documents could be premature because data on the efficacy of vaccines in preventing a person from carrying or passing on the virus is incomplete.

European Union provides EUR 5.7 million to strengthen Pacific trade capacity

The project titled “Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT)” (SPIRIT) aims at boosting and increasing intra-regional and international trade by strengthening institutional and technical capacity in the region. It will facilitate the implementation of trade agreements, in particular the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and of the Pacific’s Aid-for-Trade Strategy 2020-2025. SPIRIT will also contribute to the development of a statistical monitoring framework that will foster greater regional economic integration.

Vanuatu participates in European Union’s regional art competition

The competition that is now open, is a new project of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific

The initiative aims at involving young people in the Pacific in a regional conservation on the issues that underlie gender-based violence, such as respect, value and recognition of women.

The Ambassador of the EU in the Pacific, Sujiro Seam said this new initiative recognises the critical role young people play in breaking cycles of behaviours and attitudes that lead to violence against women and girls now and into the future.

New era for UK as it completes separation from European Union

The UK stopped following EU rules at 23:00GMT (midday NZ time), as replacement arrangements for travel, trade, immigration and security co-operation came into force.

Boris Johnson said the UK had "freedom in our hands" and the ability to do things "differently and better" now the long Brexit process was over.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the UK remained a "friend and ally".

UK ministers have warned there will be some disruption in the coming days and weeks, as new rules bed in and British firms trading with the continent come to terms with the changes.

EU and Vanuatu sign EUR 6 million agreement to support food security of vulnerable populations

A smaller part of the programme will strengthen the technical capacity of the Government to better coordinate support by development partners.

This support comes at a time when Vanuatu faces economic consequences due to COVID-19 global pandemic, amplified by the disastrous impact of TC Harold. Ensuring food and nutrition security becomes more essential than ever. 

EU will mobilise and redirect €119 million to aid Pacific combat COVID-19

Fifteen partner Pacific islands countries and four European Overseas Countries and Territories will benefit from this support.

The EU action will focus on strengthening partner countries’ health, water and sanitation systems and their research and preparedness capacities to deal with the pandemic, as well as mitigating its socioeconomic impact.

EU to redirect funds for pandemic response in Pacific

The bloc's ambassador to the Pacific, Sujiro Seam, said 15 Pacific states and four territories would be eligible for the support.

The money will be redirected from existing EU-funded programmes in the Pacific.

Mr Seam said the money would help strengthen countries' preparations, the capacity of their health systems and mitigate the pandemic's socioeconomic impact.

A detailed support programme for the Pacific will be announced "in the coming days".

     

EU keen to deepen ties with Pacific on number of issues

The EU is one of the region's largest donors, but the Suva-based ambassador, Sujiro Seam, said he was working to make the EU's relationship with the region more than an aid donor.

He said his bloc's support for the Pacific on issues like multilateralism and climate change were increasingly important.

"The top priorities of the new leadership of the European Union is very much on par with the Pacific priority issues. And mainly, it means that the new top priority for the European Union is the European Union green deal."

EU seeks closer ties with Vanuatu, says new ambassador

Sujiro Seam presented his letters of credence to the President of the Republic of Vanuatu, Moses Obed Tallis in Port-Vila.

He also met with Vanuatu's caretaker prime minister, Charlot Salwai.

According to Mr Seam, they had an in-depth discussion covering taxation, illegal fishing and passports.

The EU sought a closer relationship with Vanuatu beyond development co-operation, to gradual integration in the global economy and deepening political dialogue, he said.

Vanuatu Government denounces EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions

Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, and Gaetan Pikioune, Minister responsible for Finance and Economic Management, have acknowledged the assessments done by the EU, the processes in which the assessments were carried out were not clearly communicated to the National Government who is working tirelessly and jointly with the OECD Secretariat to address the OECD requirements.