Other areas were the Global Gateway Effort; Bridgetown Initiative; Information Technology; Tradition; Fashion and sharing of best practices and knowledge expertise by EU countries within areas such as manufacturing, alternative energy, entrepreneurship and drafting laws. Ambassador Wasilewska reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to improving its relations with the Caribbean and to helping Barbados in accessing specialized assistance in priority areas. Discussions upon priority areas for 2023 were held between Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, and the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, CARICOM & Cariforum, Malgorzata Wasilewska. Barbados’ formal relationship with the European Union dates back to July 1976, once the EU Delegation Office within Barbados was first established. Supply: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbados-eu-discuss-priority-areas-for-2023/ Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg/BGIS Also present at the courtesy call were Minister Sandra Husbands; Permanent Secretary, Simone Rudder; International Service Officer, Craig Brathwaite, and EU’s Deputy Mind of Delegation, Fenny Steenks. Minister of International Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds presents a present to EU Ambassador to Barbados, Malgorzata Wasilewska, from their recent courtesy contact. (Photo credit: S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS) The main problems discussed included: Climate Alter; Life Sciences, Biotechnology; Business; the European Union, Latin America as well as the Caribbean (EULAC) Summit the coming year; EU Development funding; scholarship grants, and other upcoming forums/summits for 2023. During a courtesy call at the Ministry’s Culloden Road, St . Michael place recently, Minister Symmonds spoke about the longstanding and friendly relations between Barbados as well as the EU, and how future bilateral collaborations could be enhanced going forward.
