Two island groups in the North make up the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).
The Atlantic Ocean is a British-administered region with a 430 sq. km. area, 53,701 people (as of July 2018), and a GDP of US$823 million. Foreign Territory (BAOT). Grand Turk Island was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria on September 22, 2017, causing power outages as well as harm to homes, businesses, and communications. The TCI is “British Overseas Territories”, and Article 182 of the Treaty of Rome governs their development cooperation with the EU. Over time, the value of all goods traded between the EU and the Turks & Caicos Islands has increased. Agriculture, chemicals, and clothing are among the island’s exports. The TCI transportation infrastructure initiatives have been made possible thanks in large part to the European Development Fund (EDF). The EU is encouraging all facets of society to actively participate in determining the destiny of their nations through the European Consensus on Development.
Turks and Caicos Islands’ relations with Canada
In 1982, Canada and the TCI established diplomatic ties. A cooperative bilateral relationship exists between Canada and them, which is a reflection of Canada’s long-standing alliance with the United Kingdom as a whole. The Queen appoints the Governor, who is in charge of the Islands’ military, foreign relations, internal security, and foreign financial matters as a British Overseas Territory. Within the Commonwealth and as part of Canada’s larger involvement in the Caribbean, TCI and Canada frequently collaborate. The TCI benefits from a portion of Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Program, a $600 million, 12-year program that was launched in 2007. It is an associate member of CARICOM. Numerous retirees, professionals, and tourists from Canada have recently significantly boosted their presence in the Islands. The High Commission of Canada in London ensures Canada’s diplomatic representation, and the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica takes after Canada’s consular interests in the Islands. This helps to maintain good relations between the member states.
The British High Commission in Ottawa and the British Consulates in St. John’s, Dartmouth, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver serve as the country’s representatives for the TCI. A reflection of the larger historical relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom, Canada enjoys constructive bilateral relations with the Island.
International relations
Defense, international relations, domestic security, and offshore finance are all under the control of the British government. The Caribbean Community counts the Turks and Caicos Islands as an associate member (CARICOM). Within the Commonwealth, Canada and the TCI frequently work together. The Canadian International Development Agency oversees Canada’s development assistance program in the Tci (CIDA). The amount of merchandise exchanged between Canada and the TCI on a bilateral basis in 2010 was $5.84 million which is a bit higher as compared to other years. Exports of goods were $5.73 million and included furniture and bedding, automobiles, electrical and electronic equipment, timber, machinery, and medical equipment. In 2010, the Island managed to ship a total of $0.11 million worth of goods to Canada, including machinery, art, antiquities, and medical equipment.
Foreign affairs
Turks and Caicos maintains an Interpol sub-bureau, participates in the Caribbean Development Bank, and is a member of Caricom. Defending oneself is the UK’s responsibility. The Islands applied to join the Association of Caribbean States as a new associate member in December 2004. The potential of unification has been a topic of intense political debate in Canada and the Turks & Caicos Islands ever since 1917. The territory’s legislature publicly proposed a connection with its northern neighbor in 1973.
