European Union and Fiji - Second Partnership Dialogue under the Samoa Agreement

The European Union and Fiji held their second “Partnership Dialogue” under Art. 3 of the new Partnership Agreement between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the EU (“Samoa Agreement”) on 20 November in Brussels.

The EU and Fiji took stock of their bilateral cooperation since the last Partnership Dialogue meeting held in Fiji in 2024 and updated each other on key developments. Both parties underlined their firm commitment to further deepening and strengthening their partnership in upholding the rules-based international order, with the UN at its core. They emphasised the importance of ensuring that multilateralism is effective and inclusive, particularly in addressing challenges related to climate change, economic uncertainties, and respective regional security.

Both sides underlined the importance of addressing the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

They also stressed the importance of economic security while fostering an ambitious green and resilient transition within their borders and globally. 

Fiji presented the progress made on its social and economic agenda, the priorities of the government and Fiji’s role in the regional cooperation architecture in the Pacific. 

The EU and Fiji also discussed development cooperation for 2021-2027 under the Global Europe Instrument (NDICI) and the implementation of Global Gateway in the Pacific region. The partnership for development with the EU fully aligns with Fiji’s priorities, especially as regards its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050.

With regards to trade, the EU and Fiji discussed the current state of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) implementation and the potential that it offers for Fiji and other Pacific Island States to increase the level of trade and investment with the EU.  The success of the first EU-Pacific Business Forum held in Nadi, Fiji (4-5 September 2025) was also highlighted. Both sides looked forward to the upcoming Trade Committee Meeting of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement between Pacific Island Countries and the EU planned to be held on 26-30 January 2026, to be hosted by Fiji in Suva.

The Partnership Dialogue also reflected the importance that the EU and Fiji attach to their shared values, including the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. Fiji presented the latest progress it made in the fields of good governance and protection of human rights, in particular gender equality and combating gender-based violence. 

Furthermore, an extensive discussion was held on Climate Change, Environment and Ocean governance. Both sides recognised the importance of urgently implementing the COP30 results and the further shaping of a new post-2025 climate finance goal. 

On Ocean governance, both the EU and Fiji welcomed the progress made and underlined the importance of the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Both parties aim to strengthen regional fisheries governance and to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Discussions also covered other shared priorities such as cooperation on taxation and good governance.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Managing Director for Multilateral Affairs, EEAS and Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Fiji.