Management of the Regional Security System (RSS) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) recently received a courtesy call from officials of the European Union’s (EU) Headquarters in Brussels, at the RSS Headquarters.

EU Head of Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, introduced the Brussels team, comprising of Deputy Director-General, Directorate General for International Partnerships of the European Commission, Myriam Ferran; Managing Director, Americas, European External Action Service (EEAS), Brian Glynn; and Team Leader for the Caribbean, International Partnerships of the European Commission, Olga Baus,. Members of the EU Delegation Office also included Ovidiu Naftanaila, Felipe de la Mota and Luc Patzelt.

Executive Director of the RSS, Commodore Errington Shurland, and Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, Lt. Col. Michael Jones, outlined the various activities and roles of the two regional security organisations and highlighted initiatives currently being undertaken to reinforce security within the region.

Lt. Col. Jones highlighted the results of strengthened EU cooperation and noted the establishment of new offices within the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) of CARICOM IMPACS including the World Customs Organisation, the United Kingdom Liaison Office and the Interpol Regional Office.

Meanwhile, Commodore Shurland shared a number of current and emergent security matters which were affecting the RSS Member States, and the wider Caribbean. He emphasised that these trending security issues would steer the organisation towards strengthening strategic partnerships to help improve security of maritime borders and cyber space, as well as expand the support provided to RSS Member States in asset recovery, counter-terrorism financing and compliance with financial rules and regulations.

The presentations were keenly acknowledged by the EU party, who expressed an interest in deepening its relationship with the RSS in the future.

As part of the meeting, the visiting party toured the RSS Headquarters’ facilities, particularly the Digital Forensics Laboratory, the Asset Recovery Unit, and the RSS Air Wing.

RSS