DAREECE POLO
Senior Reporter
dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt
This week, T&T has an opportunity to put its national concerns on the radar of European decision-makers, as it strengthens diplomatic and economic ties with the European Union through participation in the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP).
The initiative offers participants access to key EU institutions and decision-makers, including members of the European Parliament.
This opportunity is especially important, given the EU’s status as one of T&T’s largest trading partners, particularly in petrochemicals and ammonia. T&T is a major exporter of ammonia to the EU, an essential input for the region’s agriculture and industrial sectors.
The wider trade relationship is framed by the CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in 2008. The agreement grants duty-free, quota-free access to EU markets for most Caribbean goods and encourages investment and trade in services. Additionally, EU support to T&T focuses on climate resilience, renewable energy, human rights and justice reform, education, innovation, and strengthening civil society and governance.
In an exclusive interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Head of the EUVP Unit Andreas Kettis acknowledged that Caribbean nations, outside of Jamaica, remain under-represented in the programme, but said efforts are underway to expand regional participation.
“We want to give this opportunity to people around the globe. No matter how far away your country might be, you are always welcome to visit us and understand how this unique project for peace and prosperity in Europe is working,” Kettis said.
“Of course, there are priority regions and countries; it depends also on the current geopolitical context, but it (expansion) will come sooner or later. Every corner of the world interests us, and we would like very much to develop further our cooperation and relationships,” he added.
Kettis explained that the EUVP invites selected individuals described as “movers and shakers” from civil society, the media, government, and academia for a one-week study visit to Brussels, Belgium or Strasbourg, France.
The programme aims to foster people-to-people diplomacy and offer firsthand insight into how EU institutions and policies function.
“Participants have to be identified and nominated by the EU delegation on the ground. We then assess, prioritise and invite them to Brussels or Strasbourg,” he explained, noting there is no direct application process.
The EUVP is currently being reformed to reflect shifting global priorities, with a focus on issues such as climate change, women’s empowerment, and building partnerships with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a category that includes T&T.
Kettis emphasised the EU’s willingness to collaborate more closely with the Caribbean in responding to the global climate crisis.
Participants are also expected to serve as “ambassadors” for EU-partner engagement, with alumni encouraged to remain involved in EU-supported events and activities in their home countries.
“You will be the first stakeholders for our EU embassies on the ground,” Kettis said, outlining post-visit engagement through conferences and public diplomacy efforts.
As the EUVP shifts towards greater inclusivity and thematic relevance, Kettis expressed hope that more Caribbean voices, including those from T&T, will take part in shaping the future of EU–Caribbean cooperation.