By Steve Thomas

Observer Nevis Editor

(Charlestown, Nevis) – The European Union is kicking off a discussion that could lead to a major revision of its relationship with Overseas Countries and Territories, many of them in the Caribbean region.

The starting point for this exchange is a Green Paper titled, “Future Relations Between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories,” which was published in June, 2008, by the European Commission.

A Green Paper is an official document designed to stimulate discussion of a specific issue. A White Paper is an official document containing specific proposals to deal with a topic.

The OCTs in question have had longstanding relations with Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The Green Paper states: “In total, 21 OCTs are listed: Greenland, New Caledonia and Dependencies, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Wallis and Futuna Islands, Mayotte, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles (i.e. Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustacius, Sint Maarten), Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena and dependencies, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda. However, the arrangements for association have never been applied to Bermuda in accordance with the wishes of the Government of Bermuda.”

The Green Paper, after acknowledging the relations with the OCTs, is clear about ideas that could overhaul how things work today and how things could work in the future: “The Commission wishes to carry out a holistic review of the relations between the EU and the OCTs and to consider a substantial revision of the OCT-EC association. It is the intention to examine how to step away from the classic development cooperation approach, while enhancing the competitiveness of the OCTs and their gradual integration within the regional and world economies, taking into account not only the challenges they are facing but also their potential. In order to pave the way towards such a modernisation, the Commission has adopted this Green Paper, which should facilitate a global and transparent discussion on the future relations between the EU and the OCTs, in particular as regards the overall philosophy that should underpin these relations in the longer term.

“The aim of the present Green Paper is therefore not to set out a new policy or establish new financial instruments or detailed procedures, but to examine a series of challenges and opportunities and to obtain input from interested parties before defining a new partnership between the EU and the OCTs.”

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands, the Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, wants the public to get into the debate.

A recent government press release stated, “the Premier noted that the expansion of the EU to include some of the poorer European countries has effectively reduced the organisation’s willingness to provide development aid as it did before. He noted too that the Territory no longer qualifies for bilateral aid but continues to receive EU assistance primarily through regional projects.”

The Green Paper examines the historical ties between the countries involved and an examination of the past and current approaches to assistance and development. The document shows a great deal of effort at even-handedness, reflecting its role as an instrument to create discussion instead of advocating any official proposals.

This is an example: “On the one hand, it seems indeed reasonable that development cooperation should in the first place benefit the countries that need it most. On the other hand, it is unfair to focus solely on per capita income as an indicator of the OCTs’ needs, as this would fail to take into account their vulnerability as micro-island economies and in particular the fact that their small size and their dependence on a very narrow economic base severely affect their institutional capacities and their development potential.”

The period for public comment on the Green Paper ends on Oct. 17, 2008. It can be accessed on BVI’s government’s portal at www.bvi.gov.vg