The Bahamas Holds Dialogue with the EU at Diplomatic Week

The Bahamas and the European Union (EU) have concluded their 2022 Article 8 Cotonou Agreement political dialogue, recommitting to building and strengthening a mutually beneficial partnership. 

Bahamas and European Union representatives and officials met on Tuesday morning, 18 October 2022 in the margins of Diplomatic Week 2022. The packed Agenda covered developments in the relationship between CARIFORUM and the EU, collaboration in the international arena, Human Rights, environmental issues and climate change, the EU’s anti-money laundering/counter-financing of terrorism and taxation listings and the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The situation in Haiti was also addressed. 

Noting the long-standing support of the European Union for the development of The Bahamas, Foreign Minister Mitchell remarked,  “the dialogue between

The Bahamas and the European Union is very important and will help strengthen our relations as we deepen ties and work towards mutually agreed outcomes”.

EU Ambassador Van Steen agreed that the Political Dialogue was also important for the European Union. She said, “It was very necessary that The Bahamas and the EU have a dialogue as the last one was before the COVID-19 pandemic. The geopolitical situation has changed significantly in that time, and we realize that we need each other and that we need to strengthen relationships between the EU and The Bahamas as well as the EU and the entire Caribbean.”

The Cotonou Agreement is the overarching framework for EU relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It seeks to support sustainable development in these States, with a view to fostering global peace and security and promoting a stable and democratic political environment. Article 8 of the Political Dialogue, calls for the Parties to regularly engage in a deep political dialogue. The dialogue also seeks to facilitate consultations and strengthen cooperation between both sides, while promoting a system of effective multilateralism.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell co-chaired the meeting together with EU Ambassador Marianne van Steen. The Bahamas side was also comprised of senior officials from the Offices of the Prime Minister and Attorney General, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Finance, Health and Wellness, The Environment and Natural Resources, and Economic Affairs. Also included in the meetings were officials from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, The Department of Environmental Health Services, The Department of Immigration, the Department of Customs and the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection.

In addition to  Ambassador Van Steen, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and The Cayman Islands. Other EU representatives in attending in-person were, H.E. Petr Kavan, Ambassador to The Bahamas from the Czech Republic, Piotr Byczkowski, Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission, and Etienne Claes, Honorary Consul to The Bahamas from The Kingdom of Belgium. EU Trade Affairs Manager to the Caribbean Arkediusz Szymanski, Head of the EU Trade Delegation to the Caribbean Felipe De la Mota, and EU Policy Officer Anna Manitara as well as representatives from other EU Member States also joined the conference remotely.