Trade ministers from the Pacific African Caribbean countries will be meeting in Nadi next week to discuss the progress in trade discussions with the European Union.

Acting General Secretary of the Forum Secretariat, Peter Forau said this meeting is important as the deadlines for negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU had been extended until the end of the year.

According to the Forum Secretariat, this agreement would see market access for Pacific nations into the European market especially interms of Sugar.

In May last year, talks were suspended so that rules and guidelines were agreed upon.

The Ministers will be meeting in Nadi next Monday and Tuesday to also discuss a way forward on the Chief Trade Advisor position for the negotiations of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations with Australia and New Zealand.