Antigua and Barbuda on Monday received Fiona Ramsey, the newly appointed European Union ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, during courtesy calls with Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Foreign Affairs Minister E. P. Chet Greene.
Talks focused on strengthening ties with the European Union and advancing shared priorities. Browne described the EU as a long-standing development partner since Independence and urged a more strategic approach to regional funding, including under the Economic Partnership Agreement.
He highlighted persistent challenges to Caribbean connectivity, citing high transportation costs that limit intra-regional trade, and suggested EU-backed shared maritime solutions—such as vessels serving multiple islands—to deliver broader regional benefits.
Greene said the engagement was timely amid renewed discussions on EU support, welcomed decades of assistance, and expressed confidence that differing views— including on European Development Funds and the Citizenship by Investment Programme—can be addressed through continued dialogue.
Ramsey reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to open communication and collaboration, pointing to climate change and maritime connectivity as key areas of cooperation, with potential developments ahead.
