BY NED GAGAHE
The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen cooperation with Solomon Islands, with future engagement expected to place greater emphasis on infrastructure investment, renewable energy and private sector development.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Island Sun, EU Ambassador to the Pacific Barbara Plinkert said discussions with government leaders confirmed that both sides remain aligned on key development priorities.
“I think from my side, just to reconfirm our strong partnership and that we are heading in the right direction with this partnership in the sectors of cooperation,” Ambassador Plinkert said.
She identified renewable energy, infrastructure development and the water sector as key areas that will continue to shape EU support in Solomon Islands.
“Renewable energy is one. Infrastructure will be one that we will be looking into more, and also the water sector,” she said.
The Ambassador said that the delegation visited an urban water and sanitation project supported by the European Union in partnership with other development partners under the leadership of the Asian Development Bank.
She said the visit provided an opportunity to confirm with the government that these sectors remain priorities under the current administration.
Beyond development cooperation, Ambassador Plinkert also highlighted the importance of political engagement between the European Union and Solomon Islands, particularly through the Pacific Islands Forum, where Solomon Islands currently serves as Chair.
“The European Union is and remains a stable and predictable partner,” she said.
She added that discussions with government leaders demonstrated a strong interest in renewing and strengthening ties with the European Union.
“We come out of these meetings very reassured and very optimistic as to the future direction of EU-Solomon Islands cooperation,” Ambassador Plinkert said.
Meanwhile, Director for Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, Peteris Ustubs, revealed that ongoing EU budget support is helping advance reforms within Solomon Islands’ energy sector.
“We have ongoing budget support to the government related to energy sector reform,” Mr Ustubs said.
He explained that discussions with the Ministry of Energy focused on how reforms could improve the sector and create greater opportunities for renewable energy generation and usage.
“There are things that could be improved in the energy sector which would allow more usage of renewable energy in the system,” he said.
Mr Ustubs said the European Union is now seeking to expand cooperation beyond traditional development assistance through its Global Gateway strategy, which promotes investment partnerships and private sector engagement.
“We are looking not only at the traditional forms of development cooperation but also looking at ways of bringing and cooperating more with businesses and enlarging our traditional cooperation with more investments,” he said.
The Global Gateway initiative is designed to attract investment, support private sector growth and finance strategic infrastructure projects across partner countries.
Mr Ustubs identified the proposed Bina Harbour development and the energy sector as areas with significant investment potential.
“In the context of Bina Harbour and the energy sector, we see potential,” he said.
He added that discussions with government leaders had provided valuable insights into the country’s development priorities and future direction.
“This was a very useful exchange with the government, allowing us to see the clear direction in which the government would like to go,” Mr Ustubs said.
He confirmed that the European Union will continue discussions with Solomon Islands following the visit as both sides explore opportunities to advance concrete projects and investment initiatives.
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