(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Newly appointed Argentine Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Luis Alberto Martino, on Monday, expressed his country’s willingness to coordinate, consult and cooperate with CARICOM.
He was speaking during an official ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat headquarters, Turkeyen, Guyana where he presented his letters of credence to CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque. Ambassador Martino is the first Argentine Ambassador to CARICOM
Ambassador LaRocque, in his remarks at the ceremony, said the re-opening of Embassies as well as the establishment of new missions in CARICOM Member States were testaments to the commitment of Argentina to the deepening of relations with CARICOM.
“The unwavering support that Argentina has given to Haiti in the aftermath of that country’s 2010 earthquake, in addition to the areas for cooperation being developed between Argentina and CARICOM Member States at the bilateral level, all send a very powerful message of Argentina’s determination to enhance its relations with the Region” Ambassador LaRocque said.
The Secretary General also expressed hope that a meeting of the CARICOM Argentina Joint-Commission would be held as soon as possible to explore areas for further cooperation at the regional level in the political, commercial, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields.
Ambassador LaRocque said he looked forward to Argentina’s support as CARICOM sought to advance the interests of small vulnerable economies in international fora. He said he felt confident that “with increased technical cooperation, cultural links will evolve creating opportunities for greater interaction between the people of Argentina and the Caribbean Community.”
Ambassador Martino said his Government was ready to start working toward an “Agreement between the Argentine Republic and the Caribbean Community to Establish a Standing Joint Commission on Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination”. He stated that Argentina hoped to “strengthen ties and develop new areas of integration with the Caribbean under the paradigm of south-south cooperation”.
The Argentinian Ambassador also used the opportunity to reiterate the interest of his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Héctor Timerman, to participate in the meeting of Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in 2014 to speak to the political situation in the region and convey the vision of the Argentine Government on that matter.
According to the Ambassador, his Minister of Foreign Affairs would also wish to reaffirm a proposal to CARICOM for the establishment of a regional office in Buenos Aires.
