(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Governments of the United Kingdom (UK) and Italy along with the European Union (EU) have sent congratulatory messages to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the occasion of the recent launch of the CARICOM Single Market.
The message from the UK Foreign Office welcomed the signing as “an important and symbolic step along the road to closer economic relations between the governments and peoples of the CARICOM region.” The Foreign Office said the UK looked forward to working with CARICOM as the “CSME develops into a closer and deeper partnership.”
The Government of Italy, in its letter of congratulation, indicated that the “process will significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of the Caribbean Region, thus reinforcing the capacity of the small islands to face, in a coordinated and efficient way, the challenges arisen from globalisation, so they will retrieve all the potential benefits and minimise the costs.”
In its declaration, the Council of the EU said it would “strongly support the completion and operation of the CSME as an essential element of regional integration and a significant step towards the establishment of an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.”
The EU in its statement said “welcomes the establishment of the new Regional Development Fund which is designed to assist disadvantaged CARICOM countries in respect of the operation and functioning of the Single Market.”
The EU Council said it was looking forward to the CSME’s further expansion and development.
…………………………………………………………………………..
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM TO CARICOM LEADERS
“Please accept the UK Government’s congratulations on the launch of the first phase of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The United Kingdom welcomes today’s signing ceremony in Jamaica as an important and symbolic step along the road to closer economic relations between the governments and peoples of the CARICOM region. We look forward to working with you as the CSME develops into a closer and deeper partnership.”
David Triesman
The Lord Triesman of Tottenham
……………………………………………………………………………
STATEMENT OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF ITALY
(NON-OFFICIALTRANSLATION)
In view of the official ceremony which will be held in Kingston next January 30th, I wish to Express to you my most sincere congratulations for the inauguration of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy which represents a decisive step in the regional integration process, to which I wish an enlargement to all the Caribbean Countries.
I am convinced that such process will significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of the Caribbean Region, thus reinforcing the capacity of the small Islands to face, in a coordinated and efficient way, the challenges arisen from globalization, so that they will retrieve all the potential benefits and minimize the cost.
Looking forward to meeting you again in order to develop the fruitful dialogue between Italy and the CARICOM, which started with the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding during your visit to Italy the last month July, I confirm to you the renewed commitment of the Italian Government to further reinforce the relations with the Caribbean Community.
I avail myself of this opportunity to send you my best regards”
Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs
Gianfranco Fini
…………………………………………………………………………..
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Declaration from the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the inauguration of the CARICOM – Single Market
The European Union would like to express its congratulations on the occasion of the official inauguration ceremony of the CARICOM Single Market, taking place on the 30 January 2006 in Kingston, Jamaica. The European Union warmly salutes and welcomes the entry into force of the first component of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The EU will strongly support the completion and operation of the CSME as an essential element of regional integration and a significant step towards the establishment of an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU. The EU welcomes the launching of the Single Market component of the CSME. In the context of the EU-LAC process and regional cooperation it will undoubtedly contribute to the strengthening and streamlining of existing regional institutions and policies thereby ensuring their smooth operation.
The EU equally welcomes the establishment for the new Regional Development Fund which aims at assisting disadvantaged CARICOM countries in respect of the operations and functioning of the Single Market.
The EU firmly believes that regional integration is a key element for economic growth and investment and thus for the development of the region. Additionally, the creation of the CSME will facilitate and foster the smooth and gradual integration of the region into the world economy.
By combining trade relations and substantial economic and development co-operation, the EU for its part will continue to assist and support its Caribbean partners to seize the opportunities offered by the new global challenges.
The EU is looking forward to the CSME’s further expansion and development.
The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
*Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
