RELATIONS WITH THE EU
The European Union and Belize
Agreements between the European Union and Belize.
Political and Economic Relations
Belize is part of a number of African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) – European Union (EU) partnership agreements. This started in 1982 when the country signed the second of four Lomé Conventions and continued with the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, the so-called Cotonou Agreement.
This accord brought about a new era of economic cooperation between the EU and Belize. It promotes sustainable development and poverty reduction and forms the basis of EU-Belize cooperation.
As a member of the CARICOM and the CARIFORUM Group of Countries, Belize is part of the CARIFORUM - European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Belize also participates in the EU- CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) summits that take place every other year.
Development Cooperation
The European Development Fund (EDF) is the main source of development assistance for Belize.
Other funding sources include:
- The Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries (AMS).
- The Banana Accompanying Measures.
- Other initiatives.
There are many ongoing development projects in Belize, which are making a real difference for the Belizean population.
Civil Society Dialogue
Through its European Consensus on Development, it is clear that the EU is encouraging all parts of society to play an active part in shaping the futures of their countries.
In Belize, under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), various stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and farmers have come together to discuss projects.