Interim Indigenous Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has called for regional solidarity as the Forum Island Countries negotiate the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and the Pacific Agreement for Closer Economic Relations or (PACER) Plus with Australia and New Zealand.

Ratu Epeli is the Chair for the two day Pacific ACP Trade Ministers meeting which got underway in Nadi today as the ministers discuss the progress so far on the negotiations of EPA with the EU and the way forward.

He said regional solidarity is the key ingredient to finding the solutions to the ultimate objectives as it is crucial that while everyone holds their national interests close to their hearts, they must not lose sight of the bigger picture of regional solidarity and the multitude of economic and social benefits.

On the issue of negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU, Ratu Epeli said all the ministers would need to agree on a way forward on their priority areas of EPA negotiations, keeping in mind the recent developments and our fragile economies and more importantly in the raising of the standard of living of our poorest citizens.