Colombia, Costa Rica, Barbados, Saint Lucia – Visit by Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (23 January – 2 February 2023)

Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will be in Colombia, Costa Rica, Barbados and Saint Lucia from January 23 to February 2.

In Colombia, she will meet with several members of the Colombian government. These meetings will focus the priorities shared by French President Emmanuel Macron and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, particularly with regard to preserving the environment and promoting peace.
The minister of state’s visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between our two countries in order to implement the new Colombian government’s national development plan and to support a project to protect and support women who have fled Venezuela. Ms. Zacharopoulou will also reaffirm France’s political and financial support for the Colombian peace process. She will engage in discussions with stakeholders involved in the peace process and representatives of Colombian civil society, especially from indigenous communities.

In Costa Rica, the minister of state will be hosted by President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, joined by several members of his government. This visit is designed to deepen cooperation on global challenges, particularly the implementation of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People, the preservation of biodiversity ahead of the One Forest Summit in March, and preparations for the third UN Ocean Conference, to be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in 2024 and 2025. She will also meet with representatives of civil society organizations and key players in the French-speaking community.

In Barbados, the minister of state will meet with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and members of her government to address reforms to the international development financing architecture for global public goods, following discussions between President Macron and Prime Minister Mottley at the COP27 on the proposals contained in the Bridgetown Agenda and in preparation for this June’s summit on a “new financial pact,” to be held in Paris. France’s support for regional integration, particularly with regard to the environment, will also be discussed during a visit to the Caribbean Development Bank.

In Saint Lucia, Ms. Zacharopoulou will meet with Prime Minister Philip Pierre to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly with France’s Overseas Territories. They will also address the preservation of the mangrove ecosystem and cooperation between France and Saint Lucia in the area of health during a hospital tour.