In a May 9 speech celebrating Europe Day and in a subsequent op-ed column in this newspaper, Erja Askola, the European Union’s ambassador to Jamaica, stressed the EU’s desire to deepen its half-century-old relationship with the island.

“Let me say this clearly: we do not see Jamaica only as a partner in need,” Ambassador Askola said in her remarks at the Europe Day function. “We see Jamaica as a partner of potential and as a partner of solutions. And we see Jamaica as a key political ally that advocates with us for respect for international law, multilateralism, and higher ambition for climate action.

“We want to take that partnership to the next level — stronger politically and economically, closer strategically, and deeper among our peoples. This is not only lip service; we are already acting on this promise.”