Esteemed Colleagues,
Distinguished Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is, indeed, a great pleasure for me to attend the Twentieth Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Trinidad and Tobago. I would like to express my thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for the gracious hospitality extended to my delegation and me.
On 1 January 1999 Suriname gained the Chairmanship of CARICOM and, as Head of State, I had the honour to perform the correspondent duties. I can only say that it has been a great honour for us, as the youngest Caricom Member, while, at the same time, it has also been a challenge to exercise the leadership of this important Organisation. The Chairmanship is now transferred, and Suriname, as outgoing Chairman, will remain part of the Bureau of Heads of Government.
Allow me to recall a few high points of issues we have had to deal with these past months; and also with your permission, I shall put developments that have been of interest to our countries into perspective.
The process of the realization of the Single Market and Economy was continued, while the related protocols were discussed and presented to the member states for signature and ratification. I herewith make an appeal to all memberstates which have not yet done so to sign the outstanding protocols.
It should be mentioned that this process has not been completely flawless, especially as regards the signing of protocol IV in respect of which there are still some hurdles to take. I should confess that because of the specific problems, Suriname as well is one of the countries, that still has to discharge this obligation, which will be met at the next meeting of Heads of Government.
The strategic, functional relation of CARICOM with its partners on the Western Hemisphere and with Europe and Africa has been under discussion lately. In the same breath, I would like to refer to the ensuing, closely related processes as well as the associated processes, which may be mentioned in the light of the globalization and the commencement of the new millennium:
– the process of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the negotiations and the implementation of the Plan of Action of the Summit of the Americas. In this light, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention the meeting that will be held in Toronto, Canada, later this year;
– the post Lomé IV negotiations, of which the ministerial meeting in Dakar, Africa, has been an important exercise;
– the WTO arrangements which have been under discussion at various occasions these past months, while we are also looking forward to the WTO Millennium Round, which shall be held in Seattle, United States of America, in November next.
We can look back with satisfaction on the recent cooperation programme, concluded and to be implemented by the member countries of the European Union, Latin American and CARICOM, as contained in the Declaration and the Plan of Action of Rio de Janeiro.
The cooperation between the United States of America and CARICOM, as laid down in the Bridgetown Accord, holds prospects but at the same time also causes concern. In this respect it is of paramount importance that the dialogue with the United States be continued, on the basis of an agenda that defines the respective interests in a clear, businesslike and realistic manner. The CARICOM and the United States have historically been partners and cannot afford the implementation of the Bridgetown Accord being made secondary to the interest of one partner.
I also wish to refer to the further expansion of the relation with the African continent, with the historic presence of Nelson Mandela at the CARICOM Meeting of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, the talks with SADC in Durban, South Africa, and the first participation by CARICOM in the African – African American Summit in Accra, Ghana.
Our Organization has furthermore worked at strengthening its position by placing strong emphasis on concerted action in the international community and the development of solidarity and consensus among the member states.
Having had the experience of the past six months’ of Chairmanship, I would like to make some recommendations which should ensure that CARICOM as organization will approach the challenges of the new millennium with a healthy sense of reality.
At the Tenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, namely in the discussions we had during the Saramacca Retreat, the foundation was laid for the implementation of the process of harmonizing our economies, which must be intensified and effected with vigour.
The development of human resources at regional level is an important priority desirability. In this respect it is of great importance to strengthen the institutional structures.
In order to cope with competition in the twenty-first century, it is highly desirable to achieve technological development, or to have it made available to Caribbean institutions.
It is to be recommended that a CARICOM agenda be prepared, which identifies priority issues, reflects the interests that prevail within the international arena, and forms an integral part of the hemispheric agenda.
Young people, in relation to solidarity and CARICOM awareness, must be further involved and mobilized, and included in the implementation of CARICOM programmes.
The almost proverbial vulnerability of our economies can be reduced through the development of programmes for the further diversification of the economies, which may be strengthened by augmenting cooperation within the Caribbean Region.
Poverty alleviation programmes must be implemented vigorously. The funds made available under the scope of the Summit of the Americas can be spent on such programmes.
The Regional Negotiating Machinery should spearhead this endeavour.
The partnership with the European Union has proved to be worthwhile in the past; it should be further elaborated and consolidated for the future.
The policy concerning sustainable human development should be an important guiding principle in carrying out the CARICOM policy, along with the principle of deploying the own natural and human resources, strengthening the private sectors into vital and effective entities, attracting and utilizing capital furnished by development-oriented investors, and making sustainable use of our environment.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
The environment we live and work in, and the ecological system that has evolved since the existence of humankind and even before, are as dear to us as our own life and a precondition for our survival. We will continue to protect that which nature has given us, in the interest of future generations. This includes our tropical rainforest with its unique and precious ecosystem, the Caribbean Sea, and our clean air. Our natural resources, one of the essential production factors, form an integral part of this environment. Any assault on and threat to their survival is unacceptable to us.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our respective countries are referred to as still relatively young members of the international community. Processes, such as democratization, internal stability, social organization, monetary and financial development, and economic organization are still in an early stage.
They are often dependent on external factors, our competitive position, world-market prices, market forces, capital flows, and the open or covert protectionist measures established by the stronger nations of the world community.
Oftentimes, our Governments have little or no influence on such factors, whereas these can profoundly influence national developments. World-market prices of raw materials, including petroleum, gold, timber, rice, rum, sugar, fish, shrimp, bananas and other products, have dropped sharply. This, combined with the things I have earlier mentioned, is threatening to the internal stability of our countries.
In addition, the Caribbean Region is confronted with the phenomenon that oppositional parties which have not been appointed by the voter to exercise executive power frequently wish to avail themselves of the worsening economic situation to gain such government power, beyond the compass of Parliament and Constitution.
It is, therefore, of vital importance, in the light of the global processes that are taking place and the vulnerability of our economies, to work at strengthening our financial and economic position, especially as regards the implementation of development programmes which are beneficial to the entire population, combat poverty and increase purchasing power.
We shall have to see to it that the arduously achieved democracy, the internal stability and the constitutional rule of law can never be jeopardized by ambitious groupings which have not been given government responsibility by the voters. Only the path indicated by the Constitution, that is a decision by the people on the basis of elections, can and may cause a legitimate government to be replaced. Let us protect this!
Colleagues,
Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I would like to thank you for the support I have received in the performance of my duties as Chairman of CARICOM.
I also express gratitude and praise for the CARICOM Secretariat and the Secretary-General, Mr. Edwin Carrington.
I am looking forward to pleasant, constructive and fruitful cooperation with you, as member of the CARICOM Bureau of Heads of Government and as Head of State of Suriname.
I thank you.
