The Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum says member countries will be seeking to negotiate a development agreement with the European Union rather than one based only on market access.
Iosefa Maiava was speaking on the eve of negotiations in Brussels to establish economic partnership agreements with the EU under the Cotonou Agreement.
He said that even though globalisation had been forced on the Pacific, the region had to turn the challenge to its advantage.
Mr Maiava said the concept of special treatment for the weaker members of teh global community was a central theme to the Pacific section of the group of African, Carribean and Pacific states.
The Cotonou Agreement seeks to reduce poverty, promote sustainable development and integrate the ACP countries into the global economy.