On this occasion, Ambassador Plinkert stressed the importance of the EU's relationship with Cook Islands, based on the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

''I accept with great pleasure and honour this new posting to your beautiful country. Cook Islands is a key partner for the European Union in the Pacific in the context of the Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The EU remains committed to contributing to the wellbeing of the Cook Island people, particularly on climate change, resilience, biodiversity, ocean, human rights and peace and security. I look forward to attending the 52^nd Pacific Island Forum Meeting in Rarotonga next month to reinforce our already excellent relations with Pacific countries and further deepen our relationship, including in a regional context, and continuing working together on a range of issues from climate change, natural disasters and human rights to regional cooperation, energy field and oceans to name a few.”

EU Delegation for the Pacific

Ambassador Plinkert who prior to her posting in Fiji was the Head of Division for Southeast Asia and ASEAN at the European External Action Service in Brussels, said:

“The new Partnership Agreement between the EU and the OACPS (Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific Countries), to be signed in Samoa following the PIFS Leaders’ Meeting, is a major milestone in the EU’s region-to-region relations. The Agreement contains a specific Protocol for the comprehensive Pacific-EU relations defining priority areas of our cooperation. This will make our engagement more meaningful and more strategic, so that we can respond better to the needs of the Pacific partners and develop a common agenda based on shared priorities.”

Ambassador Plinkert represents the European Union in the Pacific region, under the authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific covers 13 Pacific Island countries.

(ENDS)