Brussels, February 7, 2025 – The 10th EU-Pacific interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) Trade Committee meeting concluded in Brussels, marking significant progress in trade expansion and sustainability efforts.

Co-chaired by the EU and Solomon Islands, the meeting saw participation from Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and observer states seeking accession. The EU confirmed Niue, Tonga, and Tuvalu’s imminent accession, with negotiations ongoing for Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu.

Discussions covered sustainable trade, including concerns over the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its impact on Pacific exporters. The EU pledged financial and technical support to help small island states comply. The Pacific delegation also sought EU assistance in boosting kava exports, emphasizing its economic importance.

On EPA implementation, Fiji reported progress in market access, while Solomon Islands highlighted the global sourcing provision’s role in expanding its fisheries industry. The EU-Pacific Business Forum was announced for September 2025 in Fiji to further trade collaboration.

The meeting set the stage for an expanded iEPA and stronger EU-Pacific trade ties, with the next session scheduled for 2026 in Fiji.