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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 – Saint Lucia’s meeting with a delegation
from the European Commission has concluded on a very positive note. At the
two-day meeting with the Office of the European Development Fund (EDF), Head of
the Delegation, Ambassador Amos Tincani confirmed his satisfaction with the EU
projects that are presently ongoing in St. Lucia.
Mr. Tincani said he was particularly pleased to see that the projects were
designed to drive the country’s economic and social development forward: “We
have a very important and constructive cooperation between the European Union
and St. Lucia. We are present in several sectors and we are particularly pleased
with the Special Framework for Assistance (SFA) for the Banana and Agricultural
sectors to assist both banana issues and also diversification. Assistance in the
social sector linked to bananas and the low income housing scheme is very
important.”
The EU official also disclosed that the European Commission was intent on
holding a second round of consultations with senior experts of the region, to
discuss the implications of the Economic Partnership Agreement Negotiations.
This, he explained is the Free Trade Area Concept between the European Union and
the Caribbean. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Barbados.
“I think this is important for the Caribbean in general and for St. Lucia in
particular, because it provides wider markets, supporting and strengthening the
Caribbean Single Market and Economy. Providing more free trade between CARICOM
countries and the European Union can provide a wider market space within which
St. Lucian Enterprises can be effective,” Mr. Tincani said.
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