Port Vila, Vanuatu: Vanuatu is planning to set up a diplomatic mission in Fiji.

The acting Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, revealed this yesterday during what was dubbed an enhanced political dialogue with the European Union in Port Vila.

Mr Kilman says resolution of the impasse between Fiji and other countries in the region is important and Vanuatu wants to maintain dialogue and believes this will be aided by establishing a mission.

The EU was also brought up to date on planned political changes in Vanuatu, aimed at bringing stability.

These include limiting no confidence votes and the public funding of political parties.

Meanwhile, the European Union has signed a new aid agreement to provide help to agriculture in Vanuatu and to strengthen the social sector.

Following talks on Monday Vanuatu and EU agreed on a new financing agreement worth over eight million US dollars for the next five years for agriculture and other economic development.

Separately the EU has also given around US$300, 000 for the theatre group, Wan Small Bag, which through theatre aims to raise awareness of gender based violence, to reduce rates of sexually transmitted disease and to improve reproductive health…PNS (ENDS)