The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirmed the shared values that bind the European Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), at a meeting held on Wednesday 19 February in the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown.
“We live in an unpredictable world. It’s more important than ever to stick together. To stand up for our shared values”, emphasised Ms von der Leyen at a press conference.
“Despite being an ocean apart, Europe and the Caribbean are very close at heart. We are strong and vibrant democracies. (...) We believe in freedom and in the right of people to choose their own future. And this is why you have been standing with Ukraine since the beginning of the war”, the President of the Commission told the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley.
On Wednesday, the government of Barbados welcomed the EU’s support for a major energy installation on the island: the ‘Renewstable’ project. This combines a photovoltaic solar power plant with energy storage systems using hydrogen technologies and lithium-ion batteries.
In July 2024, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $300 million debt-for-climate swap mechanism to enable Barbados to convert part of its debt into financing for environmental and climate projects.
According to Ms Mottley, Barbados - which is a member of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and currently holds the presidency (see EUROPE 13293/19) - is in a position “to move from strength to strength”.
“The world is facing some very difficult challenges. The climate is affecting all of us. (...) And we welcome the support and cooperation of the EU and in particular as we confront this existential crisis and seek to built greater resilience for our people, as we go forward”, said the Barbadian Prime Minister. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)