Jamaica secures sovereignty in EU trade deal

The agreement, signed in December 2023 by the majority of the 79 nations, with the exception of Jamaica and a few others, had raised concerns among several local civil society groups over provisions that they argued conflicted with Jamaican laws and cultural values. In response, the GoJ submitted the declaration, which explicitly affirms the supremacy of Jamaica’s constitution and domestic laws in interpreting the agreement’s terms. 

Protecting National Interests 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade confirmed that the Interpretive Declaration has now been published on the European Council’s website, ensuring transparency and formal recognition of Jamaica’s position. 

The signing was done last Friday at the headquarters of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in Brussels, Belgium by Jamaica's Ambassador to Belgium and Representative to the European Union Symone Betton-Nayo.

In a statement Johnson-Smith said: “The Government's decision to sign the agreement was taken in the interest of the country's development goals and its partnership arrangements with fellow OACPS countries and the EU. It was also taken in the context of Jamaica's close involvement in the negotiating process which lasted over two years, and the scrupulous assessment of the provisions to ensure the agreement's alignment with Jamaica's Constitution and domestic laws.

“Again, I emphasise that the final text of the agreement, which respects and aligns with Jamaica's domestic legal framework, is a testament to our commitment to the inclusive and comprehensive discussions at the local level with various stakeholders.”

A coalition of eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS), Lawyers Christian Fellowship Jamaica, and Hear the Children’s Cry, had lobbied the government to resist any clauses that could undermine Jamaica’s legal and cultural sovereignty. 

In a joint statement, the groups applauded the government for heeding public concerns and securing the declaration. This decisive action, the coalition said, reaffirms Jamaica’s commitment to protecting its constitutional values and the rights of future generations. 

Public and Diaspora Support Recognized 

The JCHS also expressed gratitude to “thousands of Jamaicans at home and abroad” who rallied behind the cause, emphasizing the importance of “preserving national freedoms” in international agreements. 

The Samoa Agreement succeeds the Cotonou Agreement and governs EU relations with 79 OACP nations, covering areas such as trade, sustainable development, and human rights. Jamaica’s interpretive declaration ensures that the country’s domestic laws will take precedence where any conflicts arise. 

As the agreement moves forward, civil society groups remain vigilant, urging continued public engagement to ensure Jamaica’s interests are upheld in global partnerships.