Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says the partnership between Jamaica and the European Union (EU), spanning five decades, has supported the country’s development goals, while delivering real and tangible benefits to citizens. 

Addressing the EU in Jamaica’s 50th anniversary lecture held at the University of the West Indies’ Regional Headquarters in St. Andrew last Friday (March 20), she noted that the support from the organisation has been instrumental in Jamaica’s economic and social transformation characterised by fiscal discipline, sustained recovery, and record lows in both unemployment and violent crimes.

Johnson Smith said that for decades, Jamaica was characterised by high debt, high unemployment, high poverty and high rates of violent crime, however, the nation was able to achieve a significant turnaround.

“Over the last 10 years, we’ve cut debt to GDP (gross domestic product) from 147 per cent to 68 per cent, we’ve cut unemployment from 13.5 per cent…to an all-time low of 3.3 per cent, poverty to 7.8 per cent and also narrowing the gender unemployment gap to within three percentage points,” she outlined.

The minister further highlighted the 30-year low in homicides, the significant reduction of active gangs and efforts undertaken to increase the social security safety net.

She emphasised that all this has been possible through partnerships while emphasising that “the EU has been an excellent and true partner throughout this journey.”

Johnson Smith hailed the EU for proactively aligning its support with Jamaica’s national development goals through grants, technical assistance and loans. 

“Among sectors that have received key support over the past 50 years are national security, justice, climate change, agriculture, education, private sector support, water and road infrastructure,” she pointed out.

Senator Johnson Smith further highlighted the critical contributions made by the EU in assisting Jamaica to reduce extreme poverty to a record low of 2.7 per cent in 2024, noting that the nation partnered with the EU on its poverty reduction policy, strategy and action plan.

The lecture was held under the theme: ‘50 Years of EU-Jamaica Partnership: Achievements and Future Prospects’.

Senator Johnson Smith said that the five decades of partnership between Jamaica and the EU have been built on the foundation of mutual respect and shared values.

She noted that Jamaica historically benefited significantly from preferential market access for its exports of sugar, bananas and rum.

“This access ensured for a period of time, guaranteed markets thus providing employment and stable income for primary producers and their families within these sectors even as we now continue to contend with the need to diversify our economies,” she pointed out. 

She said that after four successive Lomé Conventions, the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and more recently, the Samoa Agreement, Jamaica’s engagement with the EU remains strong.

In his remarks, European parliamentarian and chair of the foreign affairs committee, David McAllister, said that Jamaica is a trusted partner and voice of support on the global stage.

“Jamaica has always been, and we in Brussels hope it will continue to be, a key partner for the European Union on the international stage for defending democracy, the international rules-based order, the fight against climate change, and many more,” he noted.

McAllister said that the EU and Jamaica share a distinct bilateral relationship, which is based on common values and a shared approach to the world. 

He pointed out that Jamaica’s Vision 2030 strategy is a comprehensive and ambitious expression of this shared vision for a future in which citizens are empowered and can achieve their potential, the economy is prosperous, the society is just, cohesive and secure, and the environment is healthy and protected. 

“All this is not only fully aligned with the values of the European Union, but also an example for a path that places the well-being of its people at the centre. The European Union supports Jamaica’s Vision 2030, and we are proud to contribute to your country’s successful development,” McAllister affirmed.

He added that the EU’s contemporary engagement in Jamaica now revolves around pillars aligned with Vision 2030, digital and green transition, transport and infrastructure, trade and business, as well as good governance and human security.