BRADES, Montserrat – The Honourable Premier Donaldson Romeo will represent Montserrat at a meeting of the European Union Overseas Countries and Territories – European Union Forum which will take place in Tortola this week.
The series of meetings involving officials of the European Union and OCT leaders will be held from February 24th to 27th in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
The meetings will discuss funding via the European Development Fund (EDF) for projects and programmes in Montserrat and other EU overseas territories.
Premier Romeo will also chair a meeting of the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council.
Among matters to be addressed are a review of the current disbursement of funds and performance of projects funded under 10th European Development Fund programme.
Preparations for the 11th EDF funding cycle will also be considered.
Mr Romeo and other leaders will also examine the relationship between the overseas countries and territories and the European Union (EU), as well as other international and regional partners, in a bid to create regional hubs and centres of excellence.
Montserrat and the other OCTs will also reaffirm their commitment to the sustainable use of natural resources and emphasise the importance of coastal marine management and climate change adaptation.
They have already stated that they recognise their economic, environmental, scientific and strategic value to the EU and wider world that can be developed through EU support for research and development in several areas.
These include renewable energy, climate change, biodiversity, conservation, and science and technology among others.
This approach is said to give Montserrat and the other Overseas Countries and Territories a greater competitive advantage due to their association with the EU.
