Excellency President Janet Jagan,
Esteemed Colleagues,
Distinguished Secretaries General,
Delegates and Special Invitees,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the spirit of our growing awareness of the existing linkages between our countries, our regions and in the world, it is my distinct pleasure and honour to participate in our deliberation aimed at fostering closer ties between CARICOM and the Central American integration system.
For both regions there are language and culture to divide us, but let us not concentrate on our divisions. Instead let us identify all the many things that unite us, and which can further improve and strengthen the proposed cooperation.
First of all we share, in a literal sense the beautiful Caribbean sea, which we of CARICOM consider to be of paramount importance in sustaining the development of our small island states and fragile coast lines. Secondly, we categorise all our countries, of the CARICOM and Central America, as small states with vulnerable economies which can be severely threatened by the fast-paced changes in our global economy.
Our societies are under economic and political pressure, large parts of our societies are under severe strain to combat the impact the process of globalisation has on us, and we are all struggling to keep up with the new challenges facing us.
We of the English speaking, Spanish speaking, French and Dutch speaking Caribbean share not only the most beautiful part of the world, but also all the special problems of dealing with larger and more powerful countries, regions and trading blocs that seem to be ahead of us in forging alliances with each other.
Mrs President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed time for both regions to further our deliberations to identify a common agenda, based on the mutual interests and conditions in our regions. It is this agenda that we need to insert and through concerted efforts defend in the ongoing negotiations for the FTAA and other follow-up activities of the Summit of the Americas. I think it is the highest time for us to sit together and discuss in a friendly and frank manner what we could do to help each other. Although we are running late – maybe we are even running scared – still it is too early to give up hope of coming out ahead for all of us.
Mrs President, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
May I finally extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Guyana for hosting this important Conference. We also thank you for the warm welcome extended to us. I am convinced that the warm hospitality offered to us by our host, will be conductive to fruitful discussions and a successful meeting.
I thank you.
