Brussels, 21 January 2022/OACPS: ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) co-presidents, the Hon Carlos Zorrinho of Portugal and the Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr. of the Solomon Islands, today issued a joint statement in solidarity with the Kingdom of Tonga following the volcanic eruption almost a week ago, during the first Bureau meeting of the ACP-EU JPA for 2022.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, all affected and the first responders who are working hard to save lives under extremely challenging conditions. We express our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones. We stand by the people and authorities of Tonga and are offering our full support and call for continued international support and solidarity as well as humanitarian assistance. They welcome the mobilisation of the civil protection mechanism and other measures taken by the European Union (EU).”

The Bureau of the ACP-EU JPA met to continue its work on the rules of procedure. The Bureau exchanged views on issues relating to quorum, recommendations to the OACPS-EU council of Ministers in accordance with Article 88 of the new OACPS-EU Agreement, its relations with the media with a view to better promoting its activities, and to clarify the members right to vote on motions of resolutions and voting methods.

Click HERE to download the Joint Statement.