Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago’s Relationship with the European Union
The European Union’s partnership with Trinidad and Tobago spans 50 years, stemming back to the Lomé Conventions, the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA) and the current Samoa Agreement. It is a mutually beneficial relationship that has evolved and become more important over time, a partnership that is based on common objectives and shared values. During this time the European Union (EU) has provided support to Trinidad and Tobago in alignment with the National Priorities and areas supported by the EU.
Previously, the main instrument for providing assistance for development cooperation under the Cotonou Agreement was the European Development Fund (EDF). In this regard, there has been three programming cycles – the 9th, 10th and 11th EDF. The current twenty (20) year partnership framework between the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) that guides relations and cooperation is the Samoa Agreement. The instrument for providing development cooperation under this new agreement was changed from the EDF to the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). This new instrument, with a global budget of €79.5 billion, will fund the partnership’s development initiatives.
Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from the partnership not only in monetary terms but more importantly in terms of the contributions to the formulation of national policies (for example Policy on Tertiary Education, National Disaster Relief Policy, Green Enterprise Policy and Micro and Small Enterprise Policy), strengthening the governance structures (initiatives include the creation of the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago and the restructuring of the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited) and enhancing the human capital in the country (including the creation of bridging and distance learning programmes, provision of antiretroviral drugs and training of health workers).
Role of the European Development Fund Unit
The Unit’s focus is to ensure the full and efficient utilization of grant funds from the European Union by spearheading the development of programmes and facilitating the implementation of the programmes/projects under the National Indicative Programme and all other programmes funded by the European Union. The Unit also coordinates all aspects of implementation, specifically, the authorisation of expenditure within the limits of the fund, procurements and contracting of short-term, technical assistance, as well as, the monitoring and appraisal of programmes and projects.
Following the change in the development cooperation instrument from the EDF to the NDICI, the Title of the National Authorising Officer, which was held by the Permanent Secretary has now been shifted to the National Focal Point which is now held by an appropriate Technical Officer. In Trinidad and Tobago’s case this position is held by the Assistant Programme Coordinator, European Development Fund Unit. The EDF Unit now holds the responsibility as the collective National Focal Point for non-diplomatic and non-trade relations with the European Union.
The development landscape is ever evolving and support derived from the European Union is not different. The new agreements focus on a partnership approach and dedicated National Indicative Programmes previously allocated to Trinidad and Tobago have shifted to a multitude of other opportunities which the country is able to access. The EU is promoting a demand driven approach that focuses on providing assistance based on the priorities identified by the country. In this case the EDF Unit coordinates amongst all the stakeholders to identify and develop programmes of intervention.
European Development Fund Unit
Ministry of Finance
Level 7, Tower C
International Waterfront Complex
Wrightson Road
Port-of-Spain
Contact: 225-3347