May 15 - The European Commission has taken the decision to cancel the 2009 sugar allocation for Fiji in the absence of any indications that a legitimate government will be in place in 2009.
Fiji's allocation for sugar reform accompanying measures for 2009 totaled EUR 24 million. The Commission would have made this financing available to Fiji subject to a legitimate government being in place in accordance with EU Council decision of 1 October 2007.
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel said: "I encourage the Government of Fiji to fulfil its commitments to the EU so that we are able to reinstate sugar reform payments in the future."