The European Union and the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a privileged partner for the European Union, due to shared values, for being the largest economy in the Caribbean and the second most populous country after Cuba, for its dual identity as a Latin American and Caribbean country, for its dynamism and its active participation in various forums dedicated to regional integration, but also for the historical, cultural and familial ties that bind us. The European Union’s action in the international sphere is based on the principles that inspired its creation, the very ones it intends to promote in the rest of the world democracy, the rule of law, human rights, equality, solidarity and respect to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. It is within this global framework of fundamental principles and shared values that the relationship between the European Union and the Dominican Republic is built on.

The European Union and the Dominican Republic have maintained excellent relations since 1989, when the Dominican Republic joined the Association Agreement between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. The Cotonou Agreement, renewed in 2021 takes its name from the African city where it was signed, it seeks to promote democracy, respect for human rights, the eradication of poverty and the advantageous insertion of the countries of Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific in the international economy. The main instruments for the fulfillment of these goals are political dialogue, privileged economic relations and a supportive cooperation relationship to contribute to sustainable development at the economic, social and environmental levels.

Within this context, the European Union and the Dominican Republic celebrated 30 years of relations in 2019. During that anniversary year, both partners emphasized their good relations in various events. For example, a joint postage stamp was issued commemorating 30 years of relations. Currently, we continue working to maintain and deepen this privileged relationship in all fields.

As such, visits at all levels are frequent, such as Federica Mogherini’s, High Representative and Vice President of the European Union, to President Danilo Medina in October 2016, or the one that Josep Borrell, her successor, will carry out in March 2023 on the occasion of the Ibero-American Summit. The Director of the European Union for International Cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean visited the Dominican Republic in January 2023. Similarly, the current Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Javier Niño visited the Dominican Republic in 2021, and will return in March 2023, where he will accompany the current High Representative and Vice President of the European Union, Josep Borrell.

An extensive Political Dialogue between the Dominican Republic and the European Union takes place annually, serving to strengthen cooperation between our peoples. This dialogue covers all topics of common interest: from international and internal political issues, human rights, major global challenges, to commercial or economic issues such as the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement or the security of investments.

 

Regional Relations

Due to our history and experience, as Europeans we firmly believe in the benefits of regional integration and cooperation, as was shown in October 2018. Brussels hosted the foreign ministers of more than 60 countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union. The second EU/CELAC Ministerial Meeting served to confirm the European Union's commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean, in addition to the desire to continue being the main partner in the region and to strengthen bi-regional ties based on mutual understanding, respect and solidarity. The next Summit of EU/CELAC Heads of State will take place on July 17 and 18, 2023 with the aim of continuing to strengthen the bi-regional relationship.

In April 2019, the EU-LAC Communication was published, confirming the commitment of both regions and outlining the future of these relations, based on four pillars: prosperity, resilience, democracy and governance.

Similarly, European Union’s relations with Caribbean countries are articulated around CARIFORUM, which summons the Dominican Republic and the 15 countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In addition to the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement, EPA, the Joint Caribbean EU Partnership Strategy regulates bi-regional relations by providing a structured framework for increasingly intensive dialogue and cooperation.

The economic and trade relations between the European Union and the Dominican Republic are solid and are going through an excellent time. Since the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2008, bilateral trade has more than tripled, favouring both Dominican and European exports.

The EPA has also driven a growing diversification of Dominican exports, which today include higher value-added products such as medical equipment. In addition, the European Union has established itself as one of the main investors in the country and, in 2024, became the first partner in terms of foreign direct investment flows.

Trade flows

The EU has in the Dominican Republic its main trading partner and main recipient of European investment in the Caribbean region. Since the entry of the EPA from 2009 to 2024, bilateral trade in goods has grown by 254%. In 2024, a new historical record in merchandise exchanges has been reached, reaching €4,407 million, an increase of 8% compared to 2023 and 52% above pre-pandemic levels. Both EU exports to the DR and EU imports from the Dominican Republic have maintained an upward trend, with values of €3,197 billion and €1,210 billion respectively. 

The main categories of European products exported to the Dominican Republic are fuels, mineral oils and their derivatives, machinery and mechanical devices, jewelry and pharmaceuticals, milk powder and dairy products. The main origins of European imports to the Dominican Republic are Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

On the other hand, the main items exported by the Dominican Republic to the EU are medical and surgical equipment and supplies, cocoa and its preparations, fruits and nuts, among which the exports of bananas, cocoa and avocado, tobacco and tobacco products and alcoholic beverages such as rum stand out. It should be noted that RD is the main supplier to the EU of organic products, mainly bananas and cocoa. The main destinations of Dominican exports in the European Union are the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Spain.

As regards trade in services, the Dominican Republic has maintained a constant surplus over the last decade. This surplus originates mainly from the tourism sector, as it is an important destination for European tourism and has seen a steady growth in tourist arrivals from the EU. In recent years there has been a growth in exports of creative services (such as film or animation) and technology (such as software development) to the EU. Service flows have been on an upward trend, with values in 2024 of €1.398 billion (from the EU) and €1.738 billion (from the Dominican Republic).

Investments

Regarding investments, the EU became the first investor in the country in terms of foreign direct investment flows, with an amount of US$1.52 billion in 2024. At present, there is a presence of European companies in a good number of sectors such as tourism, energy (including renewables), sustainable urban transport, distribution and trade, telecommunications, construction and public works, etc. The political, fiscal and monetary stability of the country, the presence of an extensive network of free zones, together with vigorous, sustained economic growth and a favourable business climate predict the arrival of an increasing volume of European investments in the coming years.

Economic and Trade Partnership Agreement, EPA.

The EPA was signed in 2008 between 15 CARIFORO member states and the European Union. This agreement replaced the unilateral preferences granted by the EU through the Lomé and Cotonou Agreements.

The EPA focuses on sustainable development and regional integration. From a commercial point of view, it is asymmetric, since it allows a prolonged and gradual period for the tariff dismantling of CARIFORO countries. For its part, the EU completely opened its market from the entry into force to all Dominican products, without tariffs or quotas, in all 27 EU countries.

The EPA contains provisions that seek to promote trade in goods and services and investment. In addition, it covers other trade disciplines whose objective is to provide a regulatory framework to protect and promote trade exchange, such as provisions on competition, innovation, public procurement, SPS, TBT, intellectual property, environment, trade facilitation, data protection, labor aspects, etc.

The Dominican Republic has stood out for its timely implementation of the commitments assumed in the EPA, including the tariff reduction schedule. It has also made great use of the agreement by its operators, which has resulted in a significant increase in its exports to the EU. Another great benefit of the EPA has been the diversification of its exportable supply with the appearance of products with greater added value compared to its traditional commodities. 

Although the trade relationship has shown continued growth, there is still scope to improve the use of the opportunities of the agreement. The utilization rate of EPA preferences is between 77%-81% approximately, so there is still potential to explore. It is therefore necessary to continue to promote the use of the Agreement. To this end, the Delegation has organised the EPA Awards, recognising the use of the preferences of the agreement by Dominican and European companies. 

For more information on how to export to Europe and import from Europe to the Dominican Republic, please visit https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/home and for more information on EPA and EU-Caribbean trade, please visit https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/caribbean_en

The European Union (EU) has a longstanding history of collaborative efforts across various sectors, among which the following stand out:

1. Comprehensive Programme for the Tourism and Urban Development of Santo Domingo's Colonial City

The EU, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), supports to rehabilitate Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The objective is to revitalize its urban, economic, and cultural tourism dimensions. The project focuses on: (i) restoring public spaces and historical landmarks, and (ii) improving living conditions for residents. 

Within this framework, the EU has allocated a grant of €3.2 million aimed at: (i) supporting the most vulnerable families, benefiting 140 households through property title facilitation, roof repairs, improvements in electrical systems, and other urgent interventions, and (ii) enhancing access to the area.

2. Combatting Drugs and Organized Crime

The European Union and the Dominican Republic are strengthening their partnership to tackle drug trafficking and organized crime through strategic programs:

• EL PAcCTO 2.0 Programme: This initiative focuses on fighting transnational organized crime, reinforcing the rule of law and citizen security through a comprehensive approach to the entire criminal chain. Key components include:

  • High-level strategic dialogues, both regional and bi-regional. 

  • Capacity-building and institutional specialization.

  • Operational cooperation against structured criminal organizations.

• COPOLAD III Program: Aims to reinforce national drug policies through bi-regional dialogue platforms and technical assistance. In the Dominican Republic, this program has been instrumental in designing a national restorative juvenile justice strategy.

• GLACY-e Project: Concentrates on the realm of cybercrime, strengthening the skills of judges and prosecutors in handling electronic evidence.

3. Green and Inclusive Economy

Through the “Transition Programme to a Greener and More Inclusive Economy” (PROTEVI from its Spanish name “Programa de Transición hacia una Economía más Verde e Inclusiva”), the EU supports capacity development and training of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), a primary employment sector in the Dominican Republic. It promotes the adoption of modern production practices incorporating digital and ecological advancements, like circular business models for reuse and recycling.

The program enhances public policy implementation, focusing on: (i) Green public procurement policy with monitoring tools and training for MSME state suppliers; (ii) National registry of cleaner and sustainable production initiatives; (iii) Support mechanisms for SME internationalization, including business consultancy, technical assistance, and market promotions (focusing on women exporters and new markets like the EU, with PRODOMINICANA); and (iv) Advancement of green financing and support for MSMEs via PROMIPYME, expanding credit access. Through this program large scale training in entrepreneurial culture and sustainable business management is facilitated, impacting tens of thousands of individuals.

With the Cacaotrace Project, the EU assists cocoa producers in meeting European quality standards under a sustainable and deforestation-free model. The impact includes direct support to over 700 cocoa producers in Monte Plata, with more than 500 already trained in sustainable agricultural practices and adaptation to international regulations. Using blockchain technology, traceability, and strategic alliances, these 700 producers will be connected to national and European markets.

4. Environment

The regional Euroclima+ Program fosters dialogue and cooperation between the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean on climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Euroclima Action Plan for the Dominican Republic, developed through a national dialogue process, prioritizes: sargassum, sustainable mobility, water resource management, and sustainable finance. Actions include: (i) promoting non-motorized mobility as an alternative transport option; (ii) transitioning the public vehicle fleet to electric/hybrid units; (iii) improving water recharge in the Grande del Medio sub-basin.

5. Democracy and Human Rights

The Dominican Republic and the European Union collaborate to strengthen democracy and promote human rights, fundamental values underpinning their cooperation. The EU supports public initiatives and civil society.

The EU partners with the Ministry of Women to bolster public policies on violence prevention and develop care protocols for victims. Contributions include: extending the use of the emergency number *212, compiling relevant statistics on violence against women, supporting the Ministry of Women's annual campaign "Living Without Violence is Possible", and establishing the Magaly Pineda Equality School linked to the Ministry of Women. The program also supports civil society in a prevention campaign ("That's Violence"), in collaboration with an NGO consortium led by MUDE (Women for Dominican Development).

Another focus is creating economic opportunities for women and youth in rural areas. The Tejiendo Redes initiative, led by CONAMUCA, ASAD, and CIPAF, promotes economic opportunities for women in rural regions. In 2024, CONAMUCA received the European Human Rights Award.

In 2024, the EU supported the national monitoring of general elections and the political participation of women and youth. The EU backed national electoral observation during presidential, congressional, and municipal elections through the Participación Ciudadana NGO. This work included a series of recommendations aimed at consolidating the electoral legislative framework.

Quality journalism is a cornerstone of democracy. The EU provides training for journalists on using artificial intelligence and promotes best practices against disinformation.

6. Scholarships and University Cooperation

Through the Erasmus+ Programme, the European Union fosters university cooperation and mobility for students and academics. Erasmus+ offers opportunities for students, educational staff, and organizations to engage in cultural and academic exchanges, broadening horizons and encouraging international cooperation. Through Erasmus+ the EU supports the development of essential skills and experiences to address today's global challenges.

The central pillar of European Union cooperation is the Global Gateway strategy, which aims to boost smart, clean and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors, while also strengthening health, education and research systems across the world.

Global Gateway is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as with the Paris Agreement.

With a Team Europe approach, the strategy brings together the EU, Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector and thus drive investments with transformative impact.

In the Dominican Republic, the priority areas of the Global Gateway Agenda are:

• Sustainable urban transport

• Water and sanitation

• Digital development

• Sustainable finance 

• Climate change and the fight against sargassum

Sustainable urban transport

In the area of urban mobility, Global Gateway promotes investments to modernise public transport systems, creating sustainable, smart and safe networks. In the Dominican Republic, this cooperation began in 2017, when the EU supported the design of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Greater Santo Domingo.

The EU is currently funding two initiatives with a total grant of €20 million, supplemented by loans from the French Development Agency (AFD). The European Union's grant enables the mobilisation of European and regional experts who collaborate with INTRANT, OPRET and FITRAM in areas such as urban transport planning, feasibility studies and fare integration between different modes of transport. The programme has contributed to the design and implementation of the Integrated Transport System (SIT) and the preparation of the RD se Mueve initiative.

For its part, the AFD loans, totalling €380 million, are directed towards increasing the capacity of lines 1 and 2 of the Santo Domingo metro. The interventions include the extension of platforms at five stations, the modernisation of the interchange station between the two lines and the acquisition of new rolling stock, which will allow trains to be extended from three to six wagons.

Water and sanitation

En este sector, la UE colabora con la AFD en el municipio de San Cristóbal. La UE ha otorgado una donación de 4,3 millones de euros destinada, entre otros objetivos, a fortalecer la gestión de los servicios de agua y saneamiento. A esta contribución se suma un préstamo de la AFD por 93 millones de euros, que permitirá modernizar la planta de tratamiento y ampliar la red de alcantarillado. Actualmente, se prepara una segunda fase del programa.

In this sector, the EU is working with AFD in the municipality of San Cristóbal. The EU has granted a donation of €4.3 million aimed, among other objectives, at strengthening the management of water and sanitation services. In addition to this contribution, there is a €93 million loan from the AFD, which will enable the treatment plant to be modernised and the sewerage network to be expanded. A second phase of the programme is currently under preparation.

Digital development

In the digital sphere, Global Gateway promotes a more inclusive and sustainable society, based on an open and secure cyberspace that respects human rights, the rule of law and democratic values.

The strategic framework for this bi-regional dialogue is the EU-LAC Digital Partnership, which covers digital policies, internet and data governance, infrastructure, connectivity, security, data protection, artificial intelligence and satellite cooperation. The Dominican Republic coordinates the cybersecurity subgroup.

Projects currently underway include the Latin American and Caribbean Cybersecurity Competence Centre (LAC4), the regional centre for cybersecurity education and training in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Digital Connectors programme, which boosts open innovation in Dominican companies by providing expert advice to identify digitisation challenges, generate new business opportunities and connect with innovation ecosystems in Europe and Latin America.

Sustainable finance

The Global Gateway programme supported the preparation of the Dominican Republic's first green bond issue in June 2024, aimed at mobilising financing for investments in clean transport (such as the metro), renewable energy (solar and wind), drinking water and sanitation, climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation. Both parties are also working on a comparative study of European and Dominican taxonomies for green investments, with a view to facilitating higher levels of investment.

Climate change and the fight against sargassum

In the area of climate change, Global Gateway supports the design and implementation of green policies and encourages collaboration with innovative companies.

Transforming sargassum from a threat into an opportunity is a regional priority. In July 2025, the first meeting of the Working Group on Sargassum Recovery was held, organised by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN) and the EU. This group brings together public, private, academic and civil society actors to identify innovative initiatives for monitoring, collecting, treating and valorising sargassum, with the aim of transforming it into economic opportunities and developing sustainable value chains.

The EU also supports EU-Caribbean regional conferences on sargassum, the third edition of which will be held in October 2025, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and the exchange of innovative solutions to this challenge.