Barbados–Germany relations

Barbadian–German relations
Map indicating locations of Barbados and Germany

Barbados
Germany

Barbadian–German relations are foreign relations between Barbados and Germany. Barbados is represented in Germany through its embassy in Brussels, (Belgium) and Germany is represented in Barbados from its regional embassy for the Eastern Caribbean in Port of Spain, (Trinidad and Tobago)[1] and an Honorary Consul in Christ Church.[2] Barbados and Germany formally established diplomatic relations on 14 March 1967.[3]

History

The Cenotaph War Memorial at National Heroes' Square in Bridgetown

From the late 1620s until 1966, Barbados constituted as a part of the British Empire and was a prominent regional base for British forces. In 1874, the German bark Pierre Buyper was wrecked on the coast of Barbados.[4] During World War I and II a number of Barbadian troops were enlisted with the British forces to fight in the war with Germany.[5] Twelve Barbados men made up the Second Barbados Contingent of Volunteers for the Armed Forces. They were recruited for the Royal Air Force. They left Barbados for England in November 1940 to fight against Germany. On 11 September 1942 German submarine U-514 was patrolling the waters of Barbados [6] where it torpedoed the Canadian steam merchant ship Cornwallis off the coastline of the capital city. The ship was brought ashore in Barbados before it was released and torpedoed a second time and sank. The shipwreck was later turned into a reef and Marine park.[5][7]

Trade

According to prize winning Barbadian novelist Austin Clarke, Barbados suffered economic hardship after it was nearly cut off from global trade by Germany.[8][when?]

Barbadian and German economic trade are not very significant, the German government is one of the main stake holders in the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which lends to the various territories throughout the Caribbean region.[9]

In 2008 Barbados was one of several Caribbean countries of the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries that signed a sweeping Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.[10]

Barbados receives substantial income from Germany from the spending by German tourists.[11] In 2002 German tourism to Barbados dropped by 23 percent.[12] Barbados's main exports to Germany are agricultural products.[11] Banks Barbados Brewery in Barbados imported over 1 million Barbadian dollars of computerized production equipment from Germany in 1994–1995.[13]

Tourism

Germans nationals travelling to Barbados for tourism remains one of the modern day cultural ties between both nations.[14] In 2010, the German airline Condor announced to Barbadian aviation officials that it would be doubling[15] its weekly flights between Barbados and Germany.[16]

Agreements

  • The Agreement between the Government of Barbados and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments — Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), was signed 2 December 1994.[17]
  • Short-stay visa waver agreement (for stays up to three months), covering Barbadian and German nationals, signed and entered force on 28 May 2009.[18]
  • Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific–EU's Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

People

  • Rupee (musician) is a soca musician from Barbados. He was born in military barracks in Germany to a German mother and a Bajan father, who was serving in the British armed forces at the time. He later migrated to Barbados. Female Barbadian reggae singer Tabitha Johnson was also born in Germany and she was born to a German mother and a Bajan father just like Rupee (musician) was.[19] Around 160 Barbadian Emigrants live in Germany.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Germany and the East Caribbean Region". Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  2. ^ Bilateral relations with Barbados (in German)
  3. ^ Forde-Craigg, Sheena, ed. (13 October 2022). "Barbados & Germany Discuss Climate Change Matters". Prime Minister's Office. www.gisbarbados.gov.bb (Press release). Barbados: Government of Barbados. Government Information Service. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Barbados, wreck of a German bark bound for New-York" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b Metzgen, Humphrey (2007). Caribbean wars untold. University of West Indies Press. ISBN 978-976-640-203-7.
  6. ^ Peter Burton (21 May 2015). "Torpedoing of the Cornwallis in Carlisle Bay, Barbados, 11th September 1942: 75th Anniversary". www.bajanthings.com. BajanThings. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  7. ^ Cornwallis (Steam merchant)
  8. ^ Clarke, Austin (2000). Pig Tails'n Breadfruit: A Culinary Memoir. Random House of Canada. ISBN 0-679-31030-4.
  9. ^ Caribbean Development Bank (CDB): Non-Regional Members Archived 30 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM states, of the one Part, and the European Community and its member states, of the other part". The European Union. Archived from the original on 21 July 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  11. ^ a b "Barbados relations". German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  12. ^ "Barbados reports decline in tourism". Associated Press. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  13. ^ "'Bajan Beer' the art of Brewing at Banks". Caribbean Today. 1995. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  14. ^ M., R.S. (11 June 2010). "Tourists arrivals on the rebound". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  15. ^ B., J. M. (21 June 2010). "More arrivals from Germany as airlift increases". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  16. ^ Staff writer (14 June 2010). "Condor increases flights to Barbados from Germany". Caribbean Net News. Retrieved 15 June 2010.[dead link]
  17. ^ "Treaties". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  18. ^ "Short-stay visa waiver agreements signed between EU and four Caribbean countries". Caribbean NetNews Newspaper. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.[dead link]
  19. ^ "Rupee". Toronto Lime. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  20. ^ "Federal Statistical Office Germany - GENESIS-Online". www-genesis.destatis.de. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.