Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, Jamaica

Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable , held bilateral talks with His Excellency Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, in Panama City.

The Ministers welcomed the continued engagement between Jamaica and Panama and reaffirmed opportunities to strengthen cooperation, including through increased trade and investment and collaboration in regional and hemispheric fora.

Earlier this week, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable , represented Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable at the Solemn Session commemorating the Bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama.

In remarks delivered on behalf of Jamaica, Minister Johnson Smith recalled that Simón Bolívar’s vision for a congress of the Americas was expressed in his 1815 Carta de Jamaica, written while he was in exile in Jamaica, and later took shape through the 1826 Congress of Panama.

On behalf of Prime Minister Holness, Minister Johnson Smith also presented President José Raúl Mulino Quintero with bound copies of the Carta de Jamaica and other selected writings by Bolívar during his exile on the island.

She noted that the bicentennial was not only a moment to honour history, but to renew the hemisphere’s commitment to effective multilateralism, sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes and collective action on shared challenges. The Minister also underscored the importance of stronger cooperation on security, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, development and support for Small Island Developing States.

While in Panama, Minister Johnson Smith is also leading Jamaica’s Delegation to the 56th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable , met with Her Excellency Noemí Espinoza Madrid, Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States .aec, on the margins of the ACS Ministerial Meeting in Panama.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Jamaica’s engagement within the ACS and the Organisation’s work to advance cooperation across the Greater Caribbean. Jamaica commended the Secretary General on her tenure and assured her of the value we continue to place on the ACS as a space for practical cooperation and collective action among the Greater Caribbean and with traditional as well as non traditional partners.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable , met with His Excellency Marko Durić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, on the margins of the ACS Ministerial Meeting in Panama.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm Jamaica’s interest in strengthening bilateral relations with Serbia, including through continued political dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Jamaica also welcomed Serbia’s continued support for educational cooperation, including opportunities extended to Jamaican students through the “World in Serbia” scholarship programme.

The Ministers further exchanged views on shared respect for the principles of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while noting the importance of sustained engagement between Jamaica and Serbia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the , held bilateral discussions with Her Excellency Theodora Constantinidou, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, on the margins of the 5th Meeting of the CARIFORUM-EU Joint Council in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The meeting built on the spirit of solidarity shown by the Government of Cyprus through its €100,000 contribution in support of Jamaica’s post-Melissa recovery efforts.

The discussions in Santo Domingo focused on strengthening the relationship between Jamaica and Cyprus, while also considering shared priorities within the wider CARIFORUM-EU partnership, including trade, services, development cooperation and sustainable economic resilience.

Minister Johnson Smith welcomed Cyprus’ continued engagement with Jamaica and reaffirmed the importance of partnerships.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foriegn Trade, Senator the Honourable met with Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, on the margins of the Fifth Meeting of the Joint Council of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Minister Johnson Smith expressed appreciation for the European Union’s longstanding partnership with Jamaica and its continued support for development cooperation, including assistance provided in response to Jamaica’s post-Melissa recovery needs. She noted that this partnership remains important as Jamaica advances its recovery, resilience and wider economic development priorities.

The discussions on Friday (June 19) also focused on Jamaica’s priorities under the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, including greater market access, expanded opportunities for services providers and a more practical framework for addressing trade and regulatory issues.

For Jamaica, the CARIFORUM-EU partnership remains an important channel for advancing exports, investment, private sector growth and closer economic cooperation with the European Union.