Julian Robinson, General Secretary of the People’s National Party and Opposition Spokesman on Science and Technology left Jamaica on Saturday February 3 for a two- week study tour to Europe as part of the EU Visitor's Programme (EUVP). Mr Robinson who is also Member of Parliament for South East St. Andrew is one of two political leaders who will participate in the programme this year.  Minister of State in Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green, who is the second candidate, will begin his programme on September 10.

The EUVP which was established in 1974 by both the European Parliament and the European Commission is an individual study programme that invites promising young leaders and opinion shapers from countries outside the European Union to visit EU institutions to gain a first-hand appreciation of the EU’s goals, policies and peoples and to share perspectives and best practices. It also seeks to increase mutual understanding between professionals from non-EU countries and their EU counterparts. Participants are proposed by EU Delegations with final selections made through a committee of the European Parliament.

As part of his agenda, Mr. Robinson will visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France and have individual meetings with several Directors and Heads of Unit who work with African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries, on CARIFORUM and issues relating to innovation and technology.

Head of Delegation of the European Union in Jamaica Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, congratulated the Members of Parliament on their selection to participate in the EUVP noting that "this is a crucial time in the relationship between the EU and the Caribbean and the EU was very keen to promote an increased awareness about the realities of the Caribbean and also opportunities within the EU for the Caribbean."

Mr Robinson, for his part said, "I'm excited by the prospect of sharing ideas and views on critical areas that can advance the Jamaican economy. I will be having meetings in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, cyber security and data protection and I expect to learn how the EU countries are approaching and handling these issues so I can apply the lessons to our own situation in Jamaica."

Approximately 200 guests are invited annually to participate in the programme. Since inception the EUVP has welcomed  4,000 guests, some of whom have risen to positions of high office or responsibility.

This is only the second year that Jamaicans have been selected to participate in the programme. Kamina Johnson Smith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Imani Duncan Pryce, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Opposition Leader were the first participants in 2015.

Mr. Robinson will return to the island on February 14.