Hon. Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade delivers the opening statement at the 7th Jamaica-European Union ( EU) Political Dialogue at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Downtown, Kingston.
Hon. Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, says the European Union (EU) has committed more than 45 billion Euros to support infrastructural development programmes and projects through a reinforced partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean, which is set to benefit Jamaica until 2027.
“Jamaica also welcomes the participation of EU Member States in supporting our infrastructural development programmes and projects, including the priority areas of inclusive digital technologies, global logistics hub and waste water management improvement, renewable energy and green bonds”, said Terrelonge, while delivering the opening statement during this morning’s staging of the Seventh Jamaica-EU Political Dialogue.
Minister Terrelonge noted that the EU’s contribution comes from the Global Gateway Investment Strategy (GGIS), which he explained, would benefit Jamaica through infrastructural build out in sectors including tourism, logistics, information and communication technology (ICT), housing, renewable energy, special economic zones, global services and nearshoring prospects, as well as the creative and entertainment sector. The GGIS falls within the framework of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme for Development.
“Jamaica is encouraged by the objectives of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment — a US $600 billion initiative for which the EU will contribute US $300 billion. This has come at a time when the Government of Jamaica seeks to achieve significant infrastructure-led economic growth, while at the same time building our resilience to climate change,” the Minister continued.
He also expressed hopes for the Dialogue to further move the needle on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which he described as one of the principal agreements governing Jamaica-EU relations, underscoring the importance of cooperation to ensure that the EPA delivers on its promise.
In addressing another area of interest raised by the Government, Minister Terrelonge expressed optimism for the Dialogue to reach an agreement on the longstanding proposal for a special visa regime, specifically, the need for a touring visa for cultural practitioners, including musicians. He also raised Jamaica’s request of a direct visa waiver for all Jamaican nationals.
“As we look ahead to the further strengthening of relations with the EU, we note that there is significant scope for enhanced cultural cooperation with Jamaica, the expansion of services trade between both sides, and seamless travel between our two regions. We therefore look forward to positive outcomes on the actions we have been pursuing toward this end”, he said, calling on the EU to adopt measures to facilitate the movement of artistes, athletes and other service providers, into and within the EU.
The Seventh Jamaica-EU Political Dialogue is convened under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, which is the framework for development cooperation between the Member States of the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the EU.
While acknowledging the upcoming signature of the Samoa Agreement in November 2023, which opens a new chapter of OACPS-EU cooperation and closes the chapter on the Cotonou Agreement, Minister Terrelonge is hopeful that Jamaica will enjoy an even deeper, closer collaboration, based on shared commitment to democratic values, human rights, sustainable development and regional stability.
For more than four decades, the EU has supported Jamaica on its economic growth and development trajectory, particularly through resilience-building initiatives. This support has taken the form of intervention programmes in key sectors such as health, agriculture, environment and climate change, citizen security and justice reform and, more recently, digital transformation.
