BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are keen on strengthening their bilateral relations in climate impact, trade, and capacity building.
These matters were discussed when outgoing Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sandor Marnix Raphael Varga van Kibed en Makfalva, recently paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Business, Sandra Husbands.
Minister Husbands emphasized climate as the world’s biggest test. They highlighted the need to formulate a global solution “or all of us will suffer not only the climate impacts across the globe, but the climate refugees will also be a problem.”
“The second problem will be that the consumption levels of the world will drop,” she added.
Ambassador Varga noted that a worldwide decrease in consumption would cause some of the Caribbean islands to lose their viability and expressed a desire to see the Netherlands and the Caribbean working together on this issue since Europe already has a climate policy in place.
The Minister pointed out that the European Union had given significant assistance to the greening initiative and would welcome that continued collaboration. She also encouraged further support of the Netherlands for issues such as the Bridgetown Initiative.
Ambassador Varga articulated the point that many Dutch companies are active here in the region, especially in the area of wind energy.
Minister Husbands indicated that Barbados is keen on offshore wind farms, saying: “We need some technical assistance. We need advisors or guidance on how we go about setting up those wind farms and doing it in such a way – as a tourism destination – that we locate them to make the very best use of our seascape without interruption of our tourism beauty.”
The Ambassador commended the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for growing more robust due to improved cooperation among member states.
In response, Minister Husbands noted that one of the matters for discussion with CARICOM is the necessity to work with the European countries regarding trade and capacity building.
Ambassador Varga assured that further engagements and the promotion of investments with his country would be forthcoming.
Barbados and the Kingdom of the Netherlands established diplomatic relations on December 12, 1969.
and then 