T&T and France talk Ukraine, partnering on regional security
The governments of France and Trinidad and Tobago recently had discussions concerning developments in Ukraine, partnering on security issues impacting the Caribbean region, and strengthening trade relations, among other topics of mutual interest.
An official statement from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs reveals that the meeting took place between Senator Dr Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, and His Excellency Didier Chabert, Ambassador of the French Republic to Trinidad and Tobago, on 18 February 2022, with both parties committing to working together on further strengthening ties between Trinidad and Tobago and France.
During the meeting, Minister Browne took the opportunity to extend congratulations and best wishes to France on its assumption of the Presidency of the European Union (EU) and its strategic direction for the regional institution. Ambassador Chabert informed Minister Browne that in light of the Ukraine crisis, the priorities for the EU Presidency had shifted.
Minister Browne and Ambassador Chabert also explored the issue of shared security interests, including the trafficking in narcotics, arms and persons.
“Both parties underscored the importance of close collaboration and the sharing of information and best practices in this area [regional security], and Minister Browne advanced that training by the French Naval Forces would be of significant benefit to the Defence Force of Trinidad and Tobago,” the Ministry’s statement reports.
The EU blocklisting Trinidad and Tobago as a ‘Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction for Tax Purposes’ were also raised. Minister Browne emphasised that T&T had made significant legislative progress in complying in the area of money laundering and counterterrorism fully. He further conveyed the Government’s hope for a quick resolution.
In their discussions, Ambassador Chabert assured Minister Browne the Caribbean remains a crucial focus of France. He said France would continue to advocate for greater emphasis on the region by the European Union.
“To stress this regional position, the Ambassador acknowledged France’s role as an Associate Member under Martinique’s and Guadeloupe's presence in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). He then took the opportunity to call for Martinique and Guadeloupe to be accorded similar status in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),” the Ministry said.
Both men acknowledged the strong partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and France, fostered by technical cooperation agreements and collaboration in agriculture, education, energy, health, security and trade.
In agriculture, the Minister and the Ambassador alluded to the comparative advantage of Trinidad and Tobago concerning the cocoa process, with the Ambassador commending the launch on February 17th of a ‘Trinitario Cocoa Webinar Series 2022’, a joint effort between T&T and the EU.
The energy was also identified as an area for enhanced cooperation. France enjoys a leadership role in green hydrogen, and Minister Browne proposed the possibility of this country learning from French advancements in this area as it seeks to diversify its economy and divert from its traditional focus on oil and gas.
Both parties commended the valuable contribution of the Alliance Française in the dissemination of the French language in T&T.
“Ambassador Chabert advanced that consideration could be given to an extension of the Institute in Tobago to facilitate the provision of French language training to persons in the hospitality sector, which would augur well for the tourist sector,” the Foreign Ministry release reported.
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