Samoa to host the Samoa Agreement signing with the EU 15 November 2023

By Lance Polu

Apia, Samoa – 27 October 2023: Samoa will host the signing of the new Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in Apia on 15 November 2023.

The Samoa Agreement has a 20 year life span and will serve as the legal framework between the EU relations with 79 countries that include 47 African, 16 Caribbean and 15 Pacific countries, to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP States, with a view to contributing to peace and security and to promoting a stable and democratic political environment.

The European Union’s new Ambassador to Samoa, H.E. Ms Barbara Plinkert congratulated Samoa as host of the signing of the Samoa Agreement that she described as “a historic milestone not only for Samoa but for all members states.”

The new Ambassador presented her Letter of Credence to the Member of Council of Deputies, Afioga Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia at the credentials ceremony yesterday morning.

Ambassador Barbara Plinkert reaffirmed the European Union’s close partnership with Samoa which is founded on the shared common values and interests.

She also stressed that the EU is keen to further strengthen its partnership with Samoa and develop its cooperation in areas of common interest.

Afioga Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia in his response recognized the European Union’s crucial role in helping Samoa achieve its sustainable development goals through initiatives that promote economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection.

Le Mamea expressed his confidence that the appointment of Ms. Plinkert as Ambassador will yield more opportunities in furthering relations between the EU and Samoa as well as the Pacific region.

Ambassador Ms Barbara Plinkert accepting a gift from the member of the Council of Deputies.

BIODATA: Ms. Barbara Plinkert served in various positions with a number of Organizations and has an extensive background. She served an Associate Expert/Programme Management Officer, United Nations International Drug Control Programme from 1998 – 2002. In 2003 she was appointed as Project Coordinator, United Nations Officer on Drugs and Crime, Afghanistan and later in 2004 became the Head of Section Tajikistan, Delegation of the European Commission to Kazakhstan.

She continued her career in a number of positions serving as the Head of Social Sectors Section, Delegation of EU to Zimbabwe, Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to Ethiopia and Head of Division for Headquarters Security and EEAS Security Policy, European External Action Service and EU Ambassador to Singapore in 2017.

She is currently the EU Ambassador to the Pacific and is accredited to 13 Pacific Island Countries with residence in Fiji.