european union

EU and Germany working together in Kiribati

The work, for which $US686, 000 had been provided, would be implemented by Germany's International Co-operation agency.

The climate change project entails strengthening capacities of Kiribati's technical agencies and some communities to help them to undertake coastal-land use vulnerability & adaptation assessments.

The sustainable energy project entails the design, installation and sustainable management of solar energy systems, at two boarding schools.

EU wraps up talks with Palau

EU's Ambassador to the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs has this week been in Palau where he had talks with the President of Palau, Tommy Remengesau and his Government.

A release out of the EU Pacific office says there were fruitful discussions on the EU-Palau cooperation, regional economic integration, sustainable management of natural resources and climate change.

Palau and the EU have a bilateral programme for funding of $US1.7 million between 2014 and 2020 under the 11th European Development Fund.

Brexit defeat for UK government over EU citizen rights

Members of the House of Lords, the upper house of the UK parliament, voted in favor of an amendment that called for EU nationals legally resident in Britain to be guaranteed the same status after the UK leaves the European Union

Nauru and European Union sign financing agreement

The EU Ambassador to Niue and the Pacific, Mr Andrew Jacobs, said: "This programme will provide a reliable, affordable, secure and sustainable energy supply as well as diversifying the generation base to meet the socio economic development needs of Nauru."

EU agrees to boost defence and security

The plan envisages greater co-ordination in areas like EU-led peacekeeping missions outside the bloc.

However, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini stressed that the bloc did not intend to compete with Nato or create a European army.

She added that the plan was under consideration before Donald Trump's victory in US presidential elections.

During the campaign, Mr Trump suggested that Washington may not automatically come to the aid of a Nato ally under attack, criticising low levels of defence spending by some EU members of the military alliance.

Boris Johnson's secret pro-EU article revealed

In a previously unpublished column he penned in February, Johnson -- now the UK's foreign secretary -- urged Britain to stay in the EU, just two days before he came out against the Remain campaign.

EU celebrates World Day Against the Death Penalty

“On this important occasion, we recall that the death penalty is a violation of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and call for an end to state-sanctioned capital punishment.”

Theresa May could begin Brexit process by February, says Tusk

European Council President Donald Tusk said Mrs May had told him the UK could be ready to begin talks by February.

The BBC's Tom Bateman says this is the clearest sign yet of when the two-year withdrawal process may start.

Mrs May's office said it would not be launched this year, but did not confirm Mr Tusk's account.

Formal negotiations over the withdrawal cannot begin until the UK triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal mechanism for leaving the union.

EU congratulates Nauru President

In his congratulatory message to the President-elect the EU Chargé d`Affaires, Johnny Engell-Hansen, expressed sincere wishes for his success in fulfilling the high responsibilities in his future mandate.             

As the Head of State, Baron Waqa's commitment will be essential in enhancing democratic development, inclusion, accountability, transparency and the empowerment of women in Nauru.

$1 billion for Pacific energy projects

“The $635 million committed at the 2013 Pacific Energy Summit has translated into over $900 million of investments across 70 projects,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

“In the same way, I hope to see the $1 billion of commitments announced today increase as opportunities for leverage become apparent, and as the ambition of partners grows.

“With the growing role for the private sector and the prospect of access to the UN Green Climate Fund there should be significant potential to further expand our efforts in this area.