Ambassador Plinkert stressed the importance of the EU's relationship with Samoa, founded on the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. '

'I accept with great pleasure and honour this new posting to the beautiful Independent State of Samoa. Samoa is an important partner for the European Union in the Pacific in the context of the Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. We work together on common interests and challenges, such as trade, climate change, oceans, gender and human rights and we are proud of what we have achieved together since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and Samoa. The European Union is very pleased that Samoa has been chosen as the place for the historic signature of the new Agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in November in Apia.”

Government of Samoa

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:

“I look forward to the signing of the Samoa Agreement next month. The new Partnership Agreement between the EU and the OACPS (Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific Countries) will be historic and a major breakthrough 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 and aspirations 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)