Discussions conducted within the framework of the Consultative Committee are a form of cross-border social dialogue established within the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Chapter 5 on social aspects provides for the creation of a Consultative Committee whose main task is to make recommendations on economic, social, and environmental aspects of the partnership between European Union (EU) Member States and CARIFORUM countries that may arise in the context of the implementation of the EPA.
According to a Parties’ decision about the composition of this Committee, representatives from CARIFORUM and the EU shall reflect a “balanced representation of employers' organizations, trade unions, other economic, social and non-governmental organizations, including development and environmental organizations; and the academic community”. (See an example of the composition of the EU side of the Consultative Committee.)
CARIFORUM-European Community (EC) Consultative Committee members may submit oral or written recommendations to the Parties to disseminate and share best practices during its meetings. These meetings often result in joint statements (see minutes and joint statements of these meetings).