Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning…
It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to welcome you to this Partnership Dialogue between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union (EU), convened under the framework of the Samoa Agreement.
Before proceeding, I wish to convey, on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of the Kingdom of Spain following the tragic train collision and derailment in Urda, Toledo. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, those injured, and all those affected by this tragedy.
At moments such as these, we are reminded of the importance of solidarity, compassion and the bonds of friendship that unite us as members of the international community. It is in this spirit of shared humanity and mutual support that we gather today to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union.
In this regard, I wish to extend a particularly warm welcome to Mr. Pelayo Castro, whose visit to Port-of-Spain underscores the importance attached to this engagement, especially as today’s dialogue marks the first of its kind between Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union since our country acceded to the Samoa Agreement in July 2024. I also wish to warmly acknowledge those Heads of Mission from the European Union who are joining us virtually, your input over cyberspace is also appreciated. This commitment is equally reflected in the substantive participation of my Cabinet colleagues, as we collectively seek to chart a course towards deeper and more meaningful cooperation.
Indeed, this inaugural dialogue under the Samoa Agreement marks an important milestone in the longstanding partnership between the European Union and the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), which has evolved through successive frameworks, beginning with the Lomé Convention and subsequently strengthened under the Cotonou Agreement.
Building on this legacy, Article 3 of the Agreement provides a renewed framework for political dialogue and collective action in the pursuit of our shared objectives. Today’s meeting therefore offers an important opportunity to take stock of our relations, identify areas of mutual interest and explore avenues for further strengthening our cooperation.
The significance of this engagement is further underscored by the complexities of today’s international environment. As geopolitical and economic developments continue to reshape the global landscape, no one country can effectively address every challenge in isolation. Strong partnerships and sustained dialogue are therefore essential to navigating uncertainty, building resilience and identifying opportunities for meaningful cooperation. It is through engagements such as this that we can deepen mutual understanding, advance our shared priorities and translate our common objectives into tangible outcomes.
Further, and as Trinidad and Tobago prepares to take up our seat on the United Nations Security Council, we look forward to contributing to international efforts to address these challenges, guided by our enduring commitment to multilateralism, peaceful dialogue and collective action.
In this connection, Trinidad and Tobago is of the view that engagement with the European Union can indeed complement our efforts by creating opportunities for practical cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, economic growth, peace and security.
It is therefore my hope that our discussions today be guided by a spirit of openness, mutual respect and understanding. I trust that this dialogue will yield productive exchanges and practical outcomes that further strengthen the partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union, for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
Thank you.
