At a recent meeting in Brussels, the 21 British, French and Dutch overseas territories decided on a nine-point declaration, which Premier Dr. Orlando Smith tabled at a House of Assembly meeting Sept. 3. They chose “Green Growth” as the theme for their cooperation with the European Union.
After affirming that the OCTs share a European cultural identity and face similar challenges, the countries and territories issued a call to the European Commission to heed their input when making a new Overseas Association Decision, the framework for interactions between the OCTs and the European Community.
Their declaration also asks EU countries to step up their OCT support staff and move forward with the EU’s plan to provide long-term technical assistance scheduled to begin this month.
OCT leaders also asked for working party meetings – held between EU and OCT experts in the territories – to be scheduled virtually using technology rather than in person whenever possible.
See the Sept. 20, 2012 edition for full coverage.