Heads of government from several Eastern Caribbean nations gathered in Roseau, Dominica, on July 10, 2026, to address concerns regarding the future of their citizenship by investment programs.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, included leaders from Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The primary focus of the summit was to evaluate recent communications from the European Commission regarding a revised visa suspension mechanism.
The leaders reviewed potential implications for their nations’ economic resilience and long term prosperity, as citizenship by investment revenues currently fund critical areas such as climate resilience, healthcare, and infrastructure.
They emphasized that these programs allow small island developing states to respond to external shocks without relying on unsustainable borrowing. The participating states argued that any transition affecting this source of financing must be accompanied by a framework that protects existing development gains.
In response to international concerns, the heads of government highlighted significant reforms already undertaken to strengthen due diligence and transparency.
They pointed to the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority as a major step toward harmonized regional oversight and compliance with international best practices. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity within their programs.
To move forward, the Caribbean states have agreed to pursue a coordinated diplomatic mission to Brussels to meet with the President of the European Commission and other senior officials.
This mission aims to deepen mutual understanding of the unique vulnerabilities faced by small island states while seeking practical solutions to the issues identified by the European Union. The regional heads of government expressed confidence that a balanced solution can be reached through genuine partnership and shared responsibility