Bridgetown, 13 October 2022 (TDI): The European Union (EU) and CARIFORUM (Caribbean forum) Ministers launched EU-Caribbean partnerships under a global gateway strategy. The European Commissioner for international partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen met with leaders representing 16 Caribbean states.
The main priorities for cooperation were agreed on which the EU will dedicate to the Caribbean until 2027. The priority areas focused on three major deals “Green Deal”, “Economic Resilience and Trade” and “Governance, Security and Human Development”.
This Joint Ministerial meeting was chaired by the Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda E. P Chet Greene along with European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen.
The new partnerships were launched in the presence of the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, CARIFORUM and CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett, and Vice-president of European Investment bank Ricardo Mourinho.
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Partnerships 2021-2027
The partnerships deal with the Caribbean region under the EU’s global gateway framework. EU reaffirms to contribute over €800 million in the Caribbean region.
The global gateway framework offers the partner countries of the EU the to fight against global challenges including climate, health, and security.
EU under global gateway commits to narrowing the investment gap worldwide. This gateway strategy offers transparent development of global infrastructure with the commitment of G7 leaders. It is also aligned with United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
The European Union and the Caribbean would cooperate under the partnerships for transforming trade opportunities, moving towards green transition, and securing the peace of the region.
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EU-Caribbean Relations
European Union has good relations with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at a political and technical level. EU has provided support to CARICOM since 1986.
The relations are shaped by different frameworks based on mutual political, economic, and developmental interests.
EU is the Caribbean’s largest partner in development and trade. The most important agreements between the Caribbean states and the EU are the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Cotonou Partnership Agreement.
