By Belize Live News Staff: Belize and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and multilateral engagement following a high-level Partnership Dialogue held in Belmopan on May 19, 2025. The meeting brought together senior officials from both sides to assess ongoing projects, discuss new development initiatives, and align positions on global challenges.
Co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca and EU Ambassador Erja Askola, the dialogue highlighted progress on initiatives under the 11th European Development Fund and introduced new programs through the EU’s NDICI instrument. Key topics included green growth in southern Belize, improved border management, trade, good governance, and climate resilience.
The EU also updated Belize on its Global Gateway Investment Agenda, which is set to bring investment in digital transformation, energy, transport, health, and education. Belize’s bid to be included on the Schengen visa waiver list was discussed, reflecting the country’s interest in closer people-to-people ties with Europe.
Geopolitical issues also featured prominently, with both sides sharing perspectives on the war in Gaza, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in Haiti. Belize also updated the EU on regional integration efforts within CARICOM and SICA, and on the pending International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling related to Guatemala’s territorial claim. The EU reaffirmed its support for confidence-building measures in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone.
