| Wednesday, June 14, 2017 |
Ambassadors from the European Union (EU) pledged their countries’ willingness to collaborate with Saint Lucia earlier this week, at a meeting with Hon Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.
The meeting is part of ongoing dialogue between Saint Lucia and the EU on a variety of areas of cooperation including justice and security, health, infrastructure and climate change. It was headed by EU Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, OECS, and the Caribbean Community, HE Daniela Tramacere, and included an attending EU delegation consisting of ambassadors HE Guy Sevrin from Belgium; HE Henrik Brahmsen Hahn from Denmark; HE Lutz Hermann Goergens from Germany; HE Philippe Ardanaz from France, HE Jilles Gerrit Bijl of the Netherlands; and UK High Commissioner Janet Douglas.
Attendees from the local fraternity included Hon Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Minister for External Affairs; Hon Hermangild Francis, Minister for National Security; Director of Public Prosecutions, Daasrean Greene; acting Commissioner of Police, Milton Desir; Attorney General, Stephen Julien; and CARICOM Ambassador HE Elma Gene Isaac.
Ambassador Tramacere said the meeting is part of a “routine dialogue” that is held at least twice a year.
“We will be working with Saint Lucia on a wide spectrum and our dialogue has always been very strong,” she said. “We have supported Saint Lucia a lot in the agricultural sector, in infrastructure, and in rehabilitation after hurricanes and disasters.” She also noted the EU’s collaboration on the Owen King EU Hospital.
“We have been supporting Saint Lucia also in becoming more competitive and we are progressively more and more active in supporting all the Caribbean countries in strengthening the criminal justice system. This is not only about funding; it is about our strong alliance. We want to further strengthen our relationship with deep dialogue at the political level.”
The minister for National Security and the Director of Public Prosecutions provided the EU delegation with general updates on the justice system, the IMPACS report.
“We have received strong reassurance that the due process is taking place,” the Ambassador said. “We are confident that recommendations have been followed so far. Of course the process is not complete but we came here also to see what the product has been so far and we are reassured that measures have been taken. We are looking forward to see the further completion of this process.”
Prime Minister Chastanet also provided an overview of plans to strengthen Saint Lucia’s economy and create employment. He highlighted areas where Saint Lucia urgently needed assistance and paid particular attention to the justice system and climate change. He noted that in addition to assistance and increased collaboration between the EU and Saint Lucia, local effort is vital.
“The need for us to make some tough decisions and to make sure that we get our economy straightened out is critical,” the Prime Minister told media following the meeting. “Government is committed to making those decisions to make Saint Lucia as viable as possible and less dependent on foreign aid.”
The meeting was held on June 13 at the Office of the Prime Minister.