(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Austria’s geo-political influence in the European Union (EU) could spawn a beneficial strategic alliance between that country and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), particularly within the context of the Region’s negotiations with the EU for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), scheduled to come on stream by 1 January 2008.

The strategic alliance would also augur well for broadening relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, Secretary-General of CARICOM, His Excellency Edwin Carrington said on 5 December 2007.

The Secretary-General was at the time making remarks before he accepted the credentials of Her Excellency Marianne DaCosta, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Austria to CARICOM. The credentials ceremony was held at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana.

“Let me therefore assure you, Excellency, that every effort will be taken in order to continue the strengthening of these relations. In this regard, I wish to re-affirm my personal commitment to respond positively to the gracious invitation of your government to pay an official visit to Austria at a mutually convenient time in 2008,” the Secretary-General said.

The status of the EPA negotiations is one of two agenda items of a Special Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Georgetown on 7 December. The other is the rising food prices across the 15-member group of nations.

Exports from the Caribbean Forum of African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) and other ACP States have enjoyed non-reciprocal preferential access into the EU under successive Lomé Conventions and the current Cotonou Partnership Agreement. The non-reciprocal arrangements end on 31 December 2007. The EPA will result in liberalized access for goods and services within the markets of the signatory countries.

Contact: piu@caricom.org