The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic is gearing up to make regional diplomatic history this June, as it prepares to welcome high-level trade and political delegates for the fifth ministerial meeting of the EU-CARIFORUM Joint Council. Running from June 18 to 20, this landmark gathering marks the first time the Dominican Republic has hosted the high-profile diplomatic dialogue between the European Union and CARIFORUM’s 15 member states.
Heading the European delegation to the talks is Maroš Šefčovič, the European Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security. Šefčovič will share co-chairing responsibilities for the meeting with two senior representatives from CARIFORUM: Theodora Constantinidou and Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, the Dominican Republic’s own lead for the partnership.
At the core of the three-day discussions will be two key strategic priorities: deepening the full implementation of the longstanding Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the blocs, and unlocking new, mutually beneficial trade and investment channels between the Caribbean region and the 27-nation European bloc. Beyond formal plenary talks, Šefčovič has a packed schedule of bilateral engagements, including planned meetings with Dominican President Luis Abinader and co-chair Eduardo Sanz Lovatón to discuss bilateral and regional priorities.
A highlight of the visit will be the 8th edition of the EPA Awards, an annual ceremony that Šefčovič will preside over. The awards shine a spotlight on both Dominican and European companies that have turned the trade agreement into a springboard for successful global expansion, growing their cross-border market share and demonstrating the tangible benefits of the partnership.
First signed back in 2008, the EU-CARIFORUM EPA has served as the foundational legal and strategic framework governing all economic cooperation and bilateral trade relations between the two regions for more than 15 years. This first-time hosting by the Dominican Republic signals the country’s growing role as a key hub for Caribbean-European engagement.