The European Union says it is planning to significantly increase aid support with Pacific countries over the next 6 years.
Representatives of the island countries and EU representatives are meeting in Suva for discussions on the 11th EDF regional envelope for the Pacific region through to 2020.
A European Commission director, Dirk Meganck, says the overall increase in bilateral aid will be roughly ten percent.
But he says up to 30 percent more is being set aside for regional projects because the EU believes in the value and dynamic nature of regional cooperation.
Mr Meganck says the EU wants to achieve more by focussing on fewer, more strategic priorities.\
