GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — France says it is prepared to assist the Caribbean Community (CARICIOM) in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking as well as encourage economic exchanges, contribute to security and to strengthen cultural ties.

Newly accredited French Ambassador to CARICOM, Antoine Joly, said Paris was also looking to play a meaningful role in the region’s efforts at protecting the environment, noting that since its chairmanship of COP21, France has maintained “close dialogue” with the Caribbean in the fight against climate change.

“With the risk of natural disasters facing the Caribbean, France favours a logic of prevention, leading the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative. It implements cooperation actions in the most vulnerable countries and seeks to leverage other funding and projects,” he said.

The French diplomat against that backdrop, the purpose of the recently held “One Planet Summit” was to fulfill the financial commitments of the international community for climate change adaption in vulnerable countries.

Joly said he is aware of the “extremely important” contribution framework presented by the Caribbean Climate-Smart Coalition to address obstacles to climate smart investments.

He said French solidarity was expressed not only with emergency aid when natural disasters occurs, but also by participating in the establishment of networks to understand natural phenomena, to prevent risks, to organise aid and relief systems for the affected population, and to mitigate the consequences of disasters.

“And we are ready to sign the agreement on civil protection between France and the Caribbean Community on Technical Co-operation and mutual assistance in civil security,” he added.

France has been an important partner with the Community in several areas, including security, agriculture, health and disaster management.

The diplomat noted that economic exchanges and commercial trade was also a priority of France within the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and European Union.

“The Caribbean is also the first tourist destination in the tropical world, with about 30 million tourists a year and French companies are very involved in this sector. Intra-regional trade also offers interesting development opportunities for small and medium-sized companies.

“But we want and we can do more by bringing to the Caribbean Community, in particular to the numerous specialised agencies that you have been able to create, the willingness to cooperate with the men and women of our collectivities in the Caribbean, their elected representatives, their universities, their research centers, their hospitals, their businesses.”

He said in this context, Paris supported Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana’s applications for associate members’ status in CARICOM, adding this will allow new initiatives to flourish in respect of their relationship with the European Union as French Overseas Departments.

“For that they will have, and you will always have the support of France and its government,” the French diplomat added.