25 Jan 2006

European Union hints Pacific spending will focus on environmental protection

4:55 pm on 25 January 2006

The head of the European Union delegation in the Pacific says he wants the organisation's spending in the region in the coming years to be targeted at protecting the environment.

The newspaper Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes says Roberto Ridolfi made the comments during a visit to Noumea this week.

Mr Ridolfi says European finance is likely to be committed to solar energy projects, wind farms and water treatment centres.

The EU has given nearly seven million US dollars towards a a road in New Caledonia from Hienghene to Pouebo and seven million for a new aquarium in Noumea.

It's giving three POINT three million towards research into restoring wasteland after mining operations in Saint Louis and Thio.