It has been a crowded programme but those arrangements and the friendly atmosphere which has surrounded us here, have certainly served to strengthen the historical, cultural and political ties between Spain and the Caribbean Community. As the Foreign Minister of Belize said yesterday in one of our discussions, after leaving Europe, Christopher Columbus first touched land in our region on an island in what is now one of our Member States! This is truly a new chapter in our shared history.
Yesterday was a truly historic day. It was capped by our meeting with Their Majesties, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in a most informative and enjoyable session. This was a most fitting end to a day in which we were able to advance not only bilateral relations between CARICOM and Spain in the areas of trade, development, culture and business but also relations between CARICOM and the wider European Union and indeed the even wider Ibero-american Community.
In those discussions not only were we able to set broad guidelines but we were also able to seek to deal with specific issues currently impacting on the social and economic development of our countries. These included the search for common ground to deal with the challenges posed by the recent treatment by the European Union of some of the mainstays of our social and economic life. I refer here to the troubling issues of bananas and sugar in particular.
We also looked towards the restructuring and transformation of our economies in the context of the new globalised environment. In this regard the issue of support for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy was recognized as crucial. To that end Spain’s and the European Union’s financially and otherwise is deeply appreciated. We are particularly keen to tap Spain’s knowledge and experience as we seek to ensure that equity is the heart and soul of our own Single Market and Economy.
Mr Prime Minister, we hope that Spain’s membership of the Caribbean Development Bank will soon become a reality. In the meantime we appreciate the commitment given yesterday by your Foreign Minister, as a first step to that end, Spain’s decision to contribute to the Special Development Fund of that institution.
We enjoyed the interaction and exchange with the Spanish private sector at lunch yesterday. We noted and welcomed their keen interest in expanding their investments in the Caribbean Community. We eagerly look forward to continuation of our dialogue and to its consummation in more widespread and diversified investment in the Community.
Of particular political significance was our common understanding and commitment to support the process of political and economic reconstruction of Haiti – the most recent member of the Caribbean Community.
The new seeds of democracy in Haiti must be allowed to germinate and grow without interference. To survive, Haiti will require the financial and political support of all nations anxious to ensure it becomes a self sustaining economy.
On the broader plane we were also able to outline a framework for the way forward in our relations including the institutionalization of our interaction.
Apart from solidifying the gains of yesterday, we seek to set the stage for our future co-operation. In this regard we look forward to the meeting of the Joint Committee be held in September in Jamaica.
Already emerging from your side are proposals for co-operation in the following fields:
• internship programmes in the field of tourism
• encouragement of alternative agricultural production to serve the tourism industry
• restoration and preservation of cultural patrimony
• social programmes
• education programmes including expansion in the teaching of Spanish language.
In addition we have proposed pursuing our co-operation in the fields of:
– Integration
– Fisheries Development
– Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
– Micro and Small Business Development, and
– Export Promotion
We also attach particular importance to the pursuit of a Regional ICT Agenda.
Mr Prime Minister, we in the Caribbean Community are looking forward enthusiastically to EXPO ZARAGOZA 2008, an event which is one of the fruits of our co-operation. We are particularly interested in the theme of the EXPO, Water and Sustainable Development, which is most apt for our Small Island and low-lying Developing States. There are experiences we are anxious to share with the wider world.
As migrant nations ourselves, we are keenly interested in the project, Alliance of Civilisations, jointly sponsored by your Government and the Government of Turkey within the framework of the United Nations. It is especially timely and relevant given the prominence of the issue of immigration on both sides of the Atlantic and its direct impact on our development prospects.
Much of our deliberations here on these issues will find resonance tomorrow at the upcoming European Union Latin America and the Caribbean Summit in Vienna.
Unquestionably, the Caribbean needs friends in Europe. We count on the support and understanding of Spain as we seek to advance our shared interests and agenda. Today, however, let us exploit the opportunity of our closer Spanish-CARICOM relationship to advance common positions to strengthen the historical bonds between our two peoples.
In closing allow me to reiterate the thanks and appreciation of the entire CARICOM delegation to the Government and People of Spain for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality extended to us.
