No: 134 - ACP SUMMIT DATE DETERMINED

The African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Head of States summit is expected to be held on July 12 – 13 in Nadi.

The theme of the Summit is "ACP Solidarity and Globalisation".

Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Taina Tagicakibau, said the Summit date had been determined but needs to be cleared with the Summit President.

The confirmed dates follow a meeting between the advance team to the ACP Summit headed by ACP Secretary-General His Excellency Jean-Robert Goulongana and Foreign Affairs officials in Suva yesterday (11/02).

Mr. Goulongana is accompanied by Assistant Secretary-General Political Affairs and Human Development, Dr Pa’o Luteru, and Chief of Cabinet, Francois Jackman.

Mrs Tagicakibau said discussion with the advance team was largely on Strategy, Logistics and Intellectual Issues of the ACP Summit.

"From our end we largely sought clarifications on co-financing from ACP/EU, host obligations and determination of Summit Date in view of international and ACP/EU Calendar."

Mrs Tagicakicakibau said more than 70 ACP Heads of States and Governments including representatives of international financing institutions, NGOs, Heads of ACP regional organisations and dignitaries in the Pacific region will be invited to the summit.

She added that a Planning Committee and Secretariat has been established and apart from the organization of the coming summit, the Committee will also be responsible for two or three other major meetings which Fiji will host during the year.