Prime Minister Gaston Browne has held bilateral discussions with Romania’s Ambassador, Theodora Magdalena Mircea, aimed at strengthening ties between Antigua and Barbuda and the Eastern European nation.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in St. Lucia, where Browne is attending discussions with regional leaders on several key issues.

Talks between the two officials focused on expanding cooperation in trade, education and human resource development, with both sides expressing a commitment to building a stronger bilateral relationship.

Ambassador Mircea said Romania is interested in developing closer links with Antigua and Barbuda’s business community and proposed organizing an economic mission to the country to encourage direct engagement between businesses in both nations.

The initiative would follow a regional business mission undertaken by Romanian representatives in the Caribbean last year and is expected to explore investment and commercial opportunities.

The ambassador also outlined Romania’s interest in supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s human resource development through access to higher education and professional training. She highlighted opportunities for nationals to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in English, as well as programmes leading to professional qualifications.

The meeting reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s continued efforts to expand its diplomatic and economic relationships beyond the Caribbean, while creating new opportunities for trade, investment and educational exchange.