The Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua today. She was accompanied by Ms. Agata Utnicka, Counsellor and Head of Political, Press and Information, and Mr. Atesh Gosai, Programme Manager for Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Environment and Energy.

During the meeting, the European Union reaffirmed its strong commitment to Tonga and the Pacific region, noting the evolution of the relationship from a traditional donor-recipient arrangement to a broader political partnership. This strengthened cooperation now extends beyond development assistance to collaboration in international fora on shared priorities, including climate change. The Prime Minister was particularly keen to engage the Ambassador on ongoing trade discussions especially on kava exports.

Bilateral cooperation continues to support Tonga’s national vision of sustainable economic growth and the equitable distribution of development benefits. Since 2013, the EU has supported the implementation of the Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM), particularly in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Tonga acknowledged and expressed appreciation for this ongoing support, including €7 million under the 10th European Development Fund and €10 million referenced under the 11th EDF.

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Na’e fakataha ‘a e ‘Amipasitoa ‘o e ‘Iunioni ‘a ‘Iulope (European Union-EU)HE Barbara Plinkert mo e ‘Eiki Palemia, Lord Fakafanua he ‘aho ni. Na’e muimuifolau ki ai ‘a Ms Agata Utnicka, ko e Konisela mo e taki he Va’a Fakapolitikale, Ongoongo mo e Fakamatala pehe ki Mr Atesh Gosai ko r Pule he Va’a Polokalana ki he Ma’u’angaivi fo’ou, Feliuliuaki ‘a e ‘Ea, ‘Atakai mo e Ma’u’angaivi.

Na’e fakapapau’i ‘e he ‘Iunioni ‘a ‘Iulope lolotonga ‘a e fakataha ‘a ‘enau tukupa ma’a Tonga mo e Pasifiki mo fakatokanga’i ‘a e ngaahi liliu mei he fetu’utaki angamaheni ki hono fakafou he founga va fakapolitikale ‘oku lahiange. ‘Oku hoko eni ke ne fakamalohia ‘a e va fengaue’aki ‘o ‘ikai ngata pe ‘i he tokoni fakalakalaka kae kau ai moe fengaue’aki he tu’unga fakavaha’apule’anga ‘i he ngaahi ngaue ‘oku nau mahu’inga’ia ai kau ai a e feliuliuaki ‘a e ‘ea. Na’a ne lave makehe he fakataha ni ki he ngaahi ngaue fakakomesiale ‘oku lotonga fakahoko tautefito ki he huatu ‘o e kavatonga.

‘Oku kei hoko atu pe a e fengaue’aki vaofi ‘o poupou ki he ngaahi visone fakafonua ‘a Tonga ki ha tupu faka’ikonomika ‘oku tufotufa taau mo tu’uloa moe ngaahi monu’ia fakalakalaka. Talu mei he 2013 mo e poupou ‘a e EU ki he Ngaahi Polokalama Ngaue ki he Halafononga ki he Ma’u’angaivi fo’ou ‘ a Tonga (TERM), tautefito ki he ma’u’angaivi fo’ou mo faksii’isi’i ‘a hono maumau’i. Na’e fakahaa’i ‘e Tonga ‘a ‘ene hounga’ia moe fakamalo ki he ngaahi tokoni kau ai Euro e 7 miliona ki he Polokalama Tokoni Fakalakalaka(European Development Fund- EDF) hono 10 mo e Euro ‘e 10 miliona mei he polokalama EDF hono 11.