MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS – October 8, 2025 – H.E. President Hilda C. Heine held a bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Barbara Plinkert, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, to review ongoing cooperation and shared priorities between the RMI and the EU.
The discussions covered key areas of partnership, including trade, fisheries, renewable energy, water resilience, climate adaptation, and good governance. Both sides affirmed their commitment to advancing sustainable development and addressing global challenges through continued collaboration.
During the meeting, progress under Pacific Interim Economic Agreement (EPA) negotiations and preparations for an upcoming sanitary audit were highlighted, emphasizing RMI’s efforts to expand EU market access for its exports. The EPA is a trade and development framework between the European Union and partner countries, designed to support economic growth while providing preferential access to EU markets. The discussion also reviewed ongoing development cooperation projects, including initiatives to improve water systems on outer islands and increase access to clean and renewable energy. EU support for the ACWA water project and innovative low-emission transport solutions, such as solar-sailing vessels, was noted as an important contribution to national resilience and sustainable development.
The EU emphasized opportunities for the RMI to access development financing and technical assistance under the Global Gateway strategy, which blends grants, concessional loans, private investment, and technical support for high-priority infrastructure and climate projects. Discussions also included maritime governance, institutional capacity, and climate adaptation, including RMI’s Resilience and Adaptation Trust Fund.
Invitations were extended for RMI participation in upcoming regional and global dialogues, including the EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, with opportunities for engagement on maritime security, renewable energy, and global governance.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing high-level dialogue and collaboration to advance shared priorities in development, climate action, and international engagement.
