Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne, has secured the support of fellow OECS leaders for a coordinated regional response to the European Union’s proposal that Citizenship by Investment (CIP) programmes in the Eastern Caribbean be phased out by June 2028.
Just one day after urging a united regional approach during the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Monetary Council Meeting in Dominica, Prime Minister Browne joined fellow Heads of Government of the participating Eastern Caribbean States in adopting a common position and agreeing on a programme of collective diplomatic engagement with the European Union.
Addressing the Monetary Council Meeting, Prime Minister Browne reaffirmed that Citizenship by Investment Programmes remain indispensable pillars of economic development and fiscal sustainability for several Eastern Caribbean countries.
The Prime Minister noted that significant reforms have already been undertaken to strengthen the integrity, transparency and international credibility of the programmes, including the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority, which provides a harmonised regional regulatory framework and enhanced oversight.
Despite these far-reaching reforms, Prime Minister Browne warned that the European Commission’s revised Visa Suspension Mechanism now treats the mere existence of a Citizenship by Investment Programme as a potential basis for suspending visa-free access to the European Union.
He further disclosed that the European Commission had formally requested that OECS Citizenship by Investment countries phase out their programmes by 1 June 2028, while proposing a twenty-four-month transition period and a series of interim measures.
Prime Minister Browne stressed that such a proposal could not be considered without regard to the economic realities facing small island developing states.
“Our Citizenship by Investment Programmes are critical pillars of our non-tax revenue base. They cannot simply be abandoned without viable, credible and sustainable replacement sources of revenue,” he stated.
He further warned that any abrupt termination of the programmes would have serious consequences for public finances, infrastructure development, climate resilience initiatives, healthcare, housing, education and other critical services throughout the OECS.
Following Prime Minister Browne’s appeal for regional solidarity, the Heads of Government of the participating Eastern Caribbean States convened in Roseau and agreed on a unified response to the European Commission’s proposal. The leaders reaffirmed that Citizenship by Investment Programmes have become an important source of development financing, supporting climate resilience, disaster recovery, infrastructure, healthcare, housing, education and fiscal stability across the Region.
The OECS leaders also agreed that any future changes affecting Citizenship by Investment Programmes must take full account of the development vulnerabilities of small island developing states and be accompanied by measures that safeguard economic stability, protect development gains and provide sustainable alternative financing mechanisms.
Importantly, the Heads of Government endorsed Prime Minister Browne’s call for coordinated action by agreeing to pursue a joint programme of diplomatic engagement with the European Union, including a high-level mission to Brussels to meet directly with senior European leaders and institutions.
The leaders further directed their Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers responsible for Citizenship by Investment Programmes, Ambassadors and senior officials to coordinate closely and present a unified regional position in all future engagements with European counterparts.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed the outcome of the meeting, noting that it demonstrated the Region’s collective determination to defend its legitimate economic interests while maintaining constructive relations with longstanding international partners.
“Our Governments will continue to engage the European Commission in a principled and constructive manner consistent with the spirit of our longstanding partnership,” the Prime Minister said.
He reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of due diligence, transparency and regulatory oversight while defending the sovereign right of independent nations to determine the policies that best support their economic development.
Prime Minister Browne also expressed confidence that through continued dialogue, mutual respect and genuine partnership, the Eastern Caribbean and the European Union can arrive at balanced solutions that address legitimate policy concerns while recognizing the unique vulnerabilities and development needs of small island developing states.
The Prime Minister concluded by welcoming the strong show of regional solidarity demonstrated by his fellow OECS leaders and emphasized that a united Caribbean voice will be essential in the months ahead as discussions with the European Union continue.
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