ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — September 14, 2026 — Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne today welcomed Her Excellency Marie-Noëlle Duris, the new Ambassador of France to Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean, during a courtesy call that focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in climate action, education, health, security, regional integration and economic development.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed Ambassador Duris to her new assignment and wished her a successful tenure, while reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to maintaining a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with France.
During the discussions, the Prime Minister highlighted the longstanding advocacy of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly on climate change, development financing and reform of the international financial architecture.
Prime Minister Browne noted that traditional measures based principally on Gross National Income do not adequately reflect the economic and environmental vulnerabilities of small island states. He therefore reiterated the importance of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and expressed appreciation for France’s understanding of the special circumstances confronting SIDS.
The Prime Minister underscored Antigua and Barbuda’s continued advocacy on climate change, describing it as an existential threat requiring strong international cooperation. He said Antigua and Barbuda and France share important areas of alignment on climate and social justice and on the need for a more equitable global financial system.
Ambassador Duris reaffirmed France’s solidarity with Small Island Developing States and its commitment to working with countries such as Antigua and Barbuda to identify solutions that support sustainable economic development.
The Ambassador also raised a French-Mexican initiative encouraging members of the United Nations Security Council to refrain from using the veto in situations involving mass atrocities, inviting Antigua and Barbuda to consider supporting the initiative.
In other discussions, Prime Minister Browne proposed greater cooperation between universities in France and The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, including student exchanges and collaborative programmes that could allow students to undertake portions of their studies in Antigua and Barbuda and France.
He said such partnerships would further Government’s objective of developing the Five Islands Campus into an increasingly international institution while expanding educational and training opportunities available to students from Antigua and Barbuda and the wider OECS.
The discussions also focused on strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with the French Caribbean territories, particularly neighbouring Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Prime Minister Browne noted the geographical, historical and cultural connections between Antigua and Barbuda and Guadeloupe and expressed a desire for stronger transportation links, trade and people-to-people exchanges. He pointed to the longstanding movement of people between the territories, including participation by persons from Guadeloupe in Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival.
Ambassador Duris highlighted the continuing regional integration of the French Caribbean territories and indicated an interest in strengthening cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda in areas including climate change, security, health, training, research and patient care.
Prime Minister Browne also raised matters concerning Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with the European Union, including ongoing discussions surrounding visa-free access and Citizenship by Investment Programmes.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that continued dialogue would produce a balanced approach that addresses European concerns while recognising the interests and circumstances of Caribbean states. He reiterated the position that an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) mechanism could provide an alternative approach to addressing concerns surrounding visa-free travel.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining ease of movement between Antigua and Barbuda and neighbouring French Caribbean territories because of their close geographic, cultural and economic relationships.
Prime Minister Browne and Ambassador Duris also discussed cooperation within international organisations and mutual support for candidatures for positions in multilateral institutions.
Ambassador Duris expressed appreciation for Antigua and Barbuda’s support for French candidatures, while the Prime Minister indicated that Antigua and Barbuda similarly looks forward to France’s consideration of its candidatures within international bodies.
The French Ambassador further indicated that her Government is working with Antigua and Barbuda on a request for assistance related to security preparations, with cooperation being coordinated with the relevant authorities and regional partners.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Browne thanked the President, Government and people of France for their continued engagement with Antigua and Barbuda and expressed confidence that Ambassador Duris’ tenure will contribute to an even stronger relationship between the two countries.
The Prime Minister assured the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation, stating that the Government looks forward to building on the longstanding friendship with France in areas that deliver tangible benefits to both peoples.
Prime Minister Browne wished Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris a productive and successful tenure and encouraged continued high-level engagement as Antigua and Barbuda and France work to further deepen their bilateral and regional partnership.
