CARIBBEAN-UK and CARICOM agree on a mechanism to deepen the relationship.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The United Kingdom and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping have agreed on establishing a Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism (The Mechanism) to facilitate consultation and cooperation between them in the fields of mutual interest.

The agreement was reached during the 11th UK-Caribbean Forum that was attended by the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Ames Cleverely, and CARICOM foreign affairs ministers, as well as the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett.

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, who co-chaired the meeting, said the UK is one of the Caribbean’s most extended and dynamic development partners.

“Our bond built on shared culture, trade, and crucial contributions that have been made and are being made by the peoples of the Caribbean to the development of the United Kingdom,” she said, adding, “the value and strength of these connections is undeniable.

“We are therefore confident of productive engagement on our challenges, including treatment of the Windrush generation and the issue of reparatory justice.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) issued following the one-day meeting on Thursday noted an agreement to deepen mutual understanding and build on “our shared values and support for the rules-based international system; anchored in the United Nations Charter and International Law.”

In addition, they also agreed to strengthen consultations concerning bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest and promote the expansion and diversification of trade and investment flows based on existing agreements, including the UK-Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Economic Partnership Agreement.

The meeting agreed on the need to coordinate and advocate on addressing climate change, collaborate on improving access to finance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and strengthen collaboration in regional security and governance.

There was also a need to foster cooperation in disaster risk reduction and strengthen, expand, and diversify economic, technical, and commercial relations between the United Kingdom and CARICOM in trade, investment, industry, energy, agriculture, and tourism.
The statement said that the parties agreed to support the UK-Caribbean Forum process of biennial meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the UK, CARICOM, and the Dominican Republic, “including the effective implementation of UK-Caribbean Forum Action Plans and other agreements and arrangements among UK-Caribbean Forum members.”

According to the statement, the foreign ministers pledge to hold meetings on the Mechanism.

At the level of senior officials at least once every calendar year, “The Mechanism should see the attendance of Heads of relevant CARICOM technical institutions as well as relevant policy, program and other government officials from both Participants.”

It said the meetings would occur at the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat, with the agenda decided upon through diplomatic channels.

“If necessary, meetings of the Mechanism may be held in a third country or virtually subject to agreement by the Participants,” and the Mechanism will be co-chaired by the UK Ambassador accredited to CARICOM and the Assistant Secretary General, Foreign and Community Relations, of the CARICOM Secretariat.

“Ahead of future UK-Caribbean Forum meetings, the participants will use the Mechanism, where appropriate, to review the pledges made in UK-Caribbean Forum Action Plans and Communiqués.

“The Participants will work together to ensure that commitments are collectively implemented to deepen and strengthen the links between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and CARICOM Members. If necessary, the Participants will ensure meetings are de-conflicted with the UK-Caribbean Forum.”

The meeting also agreed that any dispute regarding the interpretation or application of MOU “will be settled amicably through consultation and negotiation between the participants.

“This Memorandum of Understanding is concluded to enhance and develop cooperation between the Participants and does not constitute an agreement binding upon the Participants under international law. No provision of this Memorandum of Understanding will be interpreted and implemented as creating legal benefits, financial or other commitments for the Participants.

“This Memorandum of Understanding will come into effect on the day of its signature and will continue to have effect for one year. It will be automatically extended for subsequent periods of one year unless one of the Participants informs the other in writing of its intention to terminate this Memorandum of Understanding no later than three months before its termination.”