The European Union opened the doors to its new office in Samoa’s capital, Apia, today. , European Union Commissioner for Development, Mr Andris Piebalgs and the EU Ambassador for the Pacific, His Excellency, Andrew Jacobs, opened the office, which is located in the grounds of the Tanoa Tusitala hotel.
The new premises not only provides a better working environment for staff, but it also illustrates the European Union’s commitment to Samoa and the Pacific region.
The European Union is one of the biggest donors to Samoa, having donated over EUR 50million in the last six years. Most of its funding goes to the water sector through its Budget Support Programme; it is also co-funding the Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) together with Australian Aid and has provided additional grants following the 2009 Tsunami and Cyclone Evan.
The European Union has been in Samoa since 1982. Its office was originally located at the Samoa National Council of Women building Maota o le Alofa before it moved to the fourth floor of the John Williams building in November 1984.
On the 1st of January 2014, the EU relocated its office in Samoa to The Villa at the Tanoa Tusitala in Sogi.
Commissioner Piebalgs and New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, are presently on a joint mission to several countries in the Pacific region. The mission, from 23-27 April. is to further strengthen development cooperation in the region.
For more information contact:
Mr. John Stanley, Head of Office. European Union. Phone: 20070.
Email: John.Stanley@eeas.europa.eu
MEDIA RELEASE.