Antigua and Barbuda and Spain have reaffirmed their diplomatic ties following talks on the sidelines of the EU-Caribbean Parliamentary Assembly in St. John’s.

Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene met Wednesday with Spain’s Ambassador-at-Large for the Caribbean, Carlos de la Morena Casado, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Permanent Secretary Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim and Director General for Foreign Affairs Ann Marie Layne were also present.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1988, and cooperation has since expanded through high-level dialogue, development initiatives and cultural exchanges. Bilateral summits in Madrid in 2006 and 2008 strengthened economic and diplomatic engagement, while Spain has supported regional projects, often through European Union programmes.

Cultural initiatives, including the launch of Ibero-American Cultural Week in 2011, have also promoted Spanish language and heritage in Antigua and Barbuda.

During the meeting, Greene called for a review of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific states, arguing that small island developing states — particularly within the OECS — face structural constraints that limit their ability to benefit fully from expanded trade opportunities.

He said development grant funding under the agreement should be better aligned with the vulnerabilities and economic realities of small island states.