The European Union says it isn't pressuring Pacific nations into trade deals.
The statement came at a press conference in Fiji where the EU responded to criticism from a range of NGOs that it is bullying Pacific island nations in the African, Carribean and Pacific group to sign Economic Partnership Agreements or EPA deals.
This comes as the EU has signed a final EPA framework with the Carribean members of the ACP group.
The Caribbean EPA deal has been termed "disastrous", by the Pacific Network on Globalisation, with the organisation saying that the arrangement serves mainly EU interests.
But the EU says opening up Pacific markets will benefit its citizens and will provide new employment, as well as improve education, health and other sectors.
It says it's not pressuring the region into trade deals and adds it has never tied the future aid spending to the region to the signing of the agreement.
