«Martinique isn't just here to take a seat at the CARICOM table. It's here to build, propose, cooperate, and take action.»
Signing of an Agreement · 2026 CARICOM Summit · Serge Letchimy (CTM) and Mia Amor Mottley (Barbados)
On the sidelines of the CARICOM Summit yesterday, July 7, 2026, the President of the Executive Council of Martinique, Serge Letchimy, and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, signed a cooperation agreement between the two territories. Marking Martinique’s first participation in this summit since its accession in February 2025, this signing gives concrete form to the regional ambitions of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique and commits both partners for five years.
Long focused on Europe, Martinique is now asserting its place within its natural region, the Caribbean. Following its accession to CARICOM—hailed as a historic milestone—the island is moving from principles to action. By choosing Barbados—a dynamic island economy and a recognized voice in the Caribbean region—the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique is signing far more than a declaration of intent: it is laying the foundation for a partnership that its initiators hope will be meaningful, measurable, and sustainable.
A fully embraced return to the Caribbean region
Since joining in February 2025, Martinique has taken its seat at the CARICOM table for the first time. The agreement reached with Barbados concretely reflects the Territorial Collectivity’s ambition: to make regional integration a driver of development, economic empowerment, cultural influence, and a collective response to major contemporary challenges. Far from being merely a symbolic presence, this initiative is intended to position Martinique as an active participant that proposes solutions and takes action, drawing on the geographical, historical, and human ties shared by the peoples of the Caribbean.
Nine Areas for Tangible Results
«To turn our geographical, historical, and human ties into concrete projects for our peoples.»
The agreement establishes a general framework for cooperation in sectors considered strategic for the future of Caribbean societies: the cultural and creative industries, sports, education, vocational training, risk management, health, tourism, fisheries, and trade facilitation. These priorities address concrete needs shared by the region’s countries: creating new opportunities for young people, developing skills, better connecting economies, strengthening resilience to climate risks, supporting productive sectors, and making culture a powerful vehicle for cooperation, identity, and development.
Structured and Measurable Governance
«Move beyond general statements and toward structured, measurable, and sustainable cooperation.»
To ensure that the agreement does not remain a dead letter, the two partners have established a clear and ongoing implementation plan. A Joint Cooperation Committee, co-chaired by Barbados and the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique, will define priorities, approve programs, monitor their implementation, review results, and recommend future actions. A Technical Secretariat will provide operational oversight of the projects. Each year, a joint activity report will assess the actions taken, the resources mobilized, performance indicators, challenges encountered, and the action plan for the following year. This approach is based on one key requirement: moving beyond general declarations to establish verifiable cooperation.
A stable framework and a regional link
Signed for a renewable term of five years, the agreement provides a stable, clear, and ambitious framework for the relationship between Martinique and Barbados, conducive to long-term projects. Beyond mere bilateral cooperation, the Territorial Collectivity sees this as confirmation of a broader vision: that of a Martinique that intends to become an active bridge between the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. A geography of bridges, rather than of margins, which the island now fully embraces.
A sequence to follow
The signing on July 7 marks the beginning of an implementation phase that will soon be put to the test by the establishment of the Joint Committee and the first action plan. If successful, the Barbadian experience could serve as a model for other cooperative efforts in the Caribbean basin and establish Martinique as a full-fledged regional partner, judged as much by its results as by its ambitions.
Philippe PIED
Source: Press release from the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique, signing of the Martinique-Barbados cooperation agreement, CARICOM Summit, July 7, 2026.
