Minister of State in Foreign Trade and Business, Sandra Husbands, in discussion with EU Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Malgorzata Wasilewska, and EU COLAC Chair, Tomás Reyes Ortega, during a meeting today. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)

The European Union’s working party on Latin America and the Caribbean (COLAC) within the Council of Europe is seeking to enhance its engagement with Barbados and the Caribbean.

This was highlighted when Minister of State in Foreign Trade and Business, Sandra Husbands, met with the EU COLAC’s 13-member delegation, led by EU Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM,

Malgorzata Wasilewska, and Counsellor, Chair of the Council Working Party, Tomás Reyes Ortega, at the Ministry’s Headquarters, Culloden Road, St. Michael.

Minister Husbands, noting that Barbados and the EU had a longstanding relationship that dates back to July 1976, said she was happy to welcome the COLAC delegation on their first trip to Barbados to discuss ways “to maximise strengthening our relationships and helping us to move forward in a very difficult time in history”.

The Minister highlighted some of the issues facing Barbados and areas where assistance could be increased including climate adaptation and climate resiliency, green deals, food security, life sciences and biotechnology.  She also stressed the impact of the black and grey listing of Barbados.

Counsellor Ortega explained what the EU COLAC was about and emphasised the importance of the visit to Barbados.  He stated: “We decided to come to the Caribbean for a purpose; we really wanted to signal that as part of our agenda …, the Caribbean is very important to us. And, I thought that this was an extraordinary opportunity to bring the colleagues from the member states here, [let them] experience by themselves and then report back to the rest of the group.”

In addition, he noted that the working group manages a very large portfolio that includes 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and the time had come to get to know and see first-hand what is taking place, as well as to have “frank discussions” with the countries they oversee.

Mr. Ortega also outlined four key areas of focus the working group was expected to address. These include: trade relations; intensifying political dialogue; forging alliances in key areas such as green agenda, digital transition, and social cohesion; democracy and human rights.

Minister Husbands and the delegation agreed to increase and continue their engagement as they work together towards seeking “good solutions” to the benefit of society.

Also present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary, Simone Rudder and Senior Foreign Service Officer, Euclid Goodman.

sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb

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