EU-Jamaica Partnership at 50: Hon. Mr David McAlister Highlights Shared Values at UWI Lecture

EU-Jamaica Partnership at 50: Hon. Mr David McAlister Highlights Shared Values at UWI Lecture

Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister has described the European Union (EU) and Jamaica as reliable partners that share a dynamic partnership grounded in strong like-mindedness, shared values and a common global outlook.

He was delivering the distinguished lecture marking over 50 years of diplomatic relations between the EU and Jamaica, at the Regional Headquarters of the University of the West Indies, in Kingston on Friday March 20.

Mr McAllister praised Jamaica's Vision 2030 - National Development Plan as a comprehensive and ambitious framework, centred on the well-being of the Jamaican people. "The European Union supports Jamaica's Vision 2030, and we are proud to contribute to your country's successful development," he stated.

Reflecting on the deep ties between Jamaica and the EU, Mr McAllister traced the evolution of the relationship from early trade agreements to a strategic partnership addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and sustainable development.

He highlighted key milestones, which began with the 1975 Lomé Convention, a groundbreaking agreement that granted duty-free access to European markets. This was followed by a deepening of the relationship with the 2000 Cotonou Agreement, which shifted the relationship towards mutual partnership, and later the 2008 CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which established reciprocal free trade in goods, services, and investment.

He noted that the 2023 Samoa Agreement with its Caribbean Protocol (which replaced the Cotonou Agreement) reflects a modern, regionally tailored approach that strengthens the political and geopolitical dimension of the partnership. The agreement prioritises region-specific challenges, including climate action and sustainable development, trade and investment, digital transformation, connectivity, youth engagement, human rights and democratic governance.

Today, the EU- Jamaica cooperation is focused on three key pillars aligned with Vision 2030 Jamaica, including Digital Transformation; Green Transition, Climate Adaptation and renewable energy; and Transforming Kingston Harbour into a world-class, sustainable shipping hub.

"Jamaica has always been, and we in Brussels hope it will continue to be, a key partner for the European Union on the international stage for defending democracy, the international rules-based order, and the fight against climate change," Mr McAllister said.

The lecture, titled "50 Years of EU-Jamaica Partnership: Achievements and Future Prospects," was hosted by the EU Delegation to Jamaica in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

During his visit from March 20 to 23, Mr McAllister held discussions with Leader of the Opposition Mr Mark Golding and several Government ministers, including Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith; Minister of Industry, Industry, Investments and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge.

He also visited the Houses of Parliament, where he met with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Heroy Clarke, who also serves as co-President of the Caribbean-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.