Foreign Minister hold bilateral meeting with EU and France

On Thursday 31st October, 2024 the Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs held bilateral discussions with Ms. Fenny Steenks, Deputy Head of Delegation of the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States; and Mr. Domenico Ditaranto, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of France to the OECS and Barbados.

During their discussions the EU representative expressed delight that Antigua and Barbuda was removed from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes on 8th October, 2024.

Minister Greene in response, welcome the decision, however, he advocated for more extensive dialogue between both sides in the future to avoid Antigua and Barbuda, and other CARICOM Member States being placed on such a list.

He stated that “the unfortunate reality of being placed on a blacklist causes a country, particularly a developing nation such as Antigua and Barbuda to lose investment opportunities, which is critical for our development and survival”.

The Minister reassured the visiting delegation that Antigua and Barbuda continues to speak out on matters related to money laundering and drug trafficking.

The Foreign Minister further charged the EU to utilize its voice as a partner of the twin island state to speak about the flow of small arms into the Caribbean region.

He remarked that the entry of illegal guns into the Region has resulted in an increase in violent gun crime, which could potentially destabilize our small societies.

Both parties also discussed training in digitalization, Artificial Intelligence (AI), security, and an upcoming UN Oceans Conference to be held in Nice, France in 2025.